(EnergyAsia, April 12 2011, Tuesday) — Australian mining giant BHP Billiton said it has approved a US$400 million investment to expand its fully-owned Hunter Valley Energy Coal project in New South Wales state.

The RX1 project will expand the Mount Arthur Coal’s run-of-mine thermal coal production by four million tonnes per year (t/y), to approximately 24 million t/y. RX1 is expected to begin production in the second half of 2013, and will create some 300 new full-time jobs.

BHP Billiton Energy Coal’s President, Jimmy Wilson, said:

“The emergence of demand for coal in the key growth markets allows us to get product to market quickly, ahead of further coal preparation plant expansions. Importantly, the RX1 Project will take advantage of existing port capacity and future expansion options will be supported by Mount Arthur Coal’s large, low-cost resource and the ability to expand the coal processing facilities.”

BHP Billiton fully owns Mount Arthur Coal through Hunter Valley Energy Coal Pty Ltd.