Newcastle Port operators Port Waratah Coal Services said yesterday they did not expect coal chain export operations to restart until June 15 at the earliest.

“Preliminary estimates are that 2 million tonnes of throughput may have been lost as a result of the disruption to coal chain operations,” the operator said.

BHP Billiton media relations officer Samantha Evans told International Longwall News today that the company had declared force majeure due to the extreme weather conditions in NSW.

“We will continue to monitor the situation closely to make sure we can get our services back to normal as soon as possible,” Evans said.

She said no further information could be given at this time.

Rio Tinto media manager Alison Smith told ILN that despite recent media reports, the company had not declared force majeure.

“Full production at Coal & Allied’s three Hunter Valley mines ceased on Friday,” Smith said.

“As is the case after any significant rainfall, water is being pumped from the mines to existing large water storage dams on Coal & Allied property. Equipment has been secured and there have not been any threats to people’s safety.

“It is not the case that force majeure has been declared.”

PWCS said until the floodwaters have receded, the full extent of the damage will not be known.

“Every opportunity to recommence railing of cargoes from the mines to PWCS will be pursued by members of the Hunter Valley Coal Chain Logistics Team (HVCCLT) before Friday,” PWCS said.