As manager of the Maules Creek Joint Venture, Aston – 31.6% owned by Tinkler – will have 5 million tonnes per annum of below rail capacity from 2013.

Australian Rail Track Corporation and Aston yesterday signed an access holder agreement for 2Mtpa from Q2 2013, ramping up to 5Mtpa from Q3 2013.

Aston chief executive Todd Hannigan said: “Securing a significant component of Aston’s rail capacity is another important development milestone for the Maules Creek Project. Aston has further de-risked the infrastructure requirements for the delivery of first coal.”

Aston remains confident that significant surplus port capacity will be available at the Port of Newcastle from 2013 onwards and the company will secure the balance of its required port capacity through a combination of short and medium term capacity and blending deals with other export producers, he said.

Aston intends to work with ARTC to progress the additional rail expansion projects required to deliver the balance of its above-rail capacity. It expects to secure the balance of its required rail capacity by year end.

Whitehaven Coal has also entered into long term arrangements with ARTC for rail track access between the company's mines in the Gunnedah Basin and Newcastle Port.

The arrangements are structured to provide Whitehaven with the rail track capacity that it will require to match its long term production and port capacity.

They are based upon the Hunter Valley Rail Access Undertaking approved by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission in June 2011 and operate on a rolling ten-year term.

“Entry into these arrangements with ARTC represents a significant milestone for the company, as they secure the long-term rail track capacity required to support the company’s significant growth plans in the Gunnedah Basin,” Whitehaven managing director Tony Haggarty said.