MELBOURNE -(Dow Jones)- Xstrata PLC (XTA.LN) is seeking government approvals for plans to build a new coal port at Balaclava Island, south of Rockhampton in Queensland state, a spokesman for the miner said Monday.
If the proposal goes ahead, construction could begin in 2012 on an export terminal with capacity to ship 35 million metric tons of coal a year, with completion likely in late 2014, he said.
The new port would handle the extra tons from planned future expansions of Xstrata's existing operations in the Surat Basin region.
The miner has lodged documents with the federal Department of Environment and is also seeking special project status for the development from the Queensland state government.
-By Alex Wilson, Dow Jones Newswires; 61-3-9292-2094; alex.wilson@dowjones.com