The alliance comes as rising demand in global energy is attracting interest for cleaner and greener coal technologies in countries such as Australia, India and China.

The two leading companies say they will maximise the benefits from the emerging field of clean coal energy by taking selective equity positions in coal conversion projects.

Anglo American chief executive Tony Trahar said the objective was to extract, gasify and then convert coal into chemicals, hydrogen, power, liquid hydrocarbons and other uses.

He said burning the synthesis gas generated by the gasification of coal emitted significantly lower quantities of greenhouse gases and pollutants than traditional coal burning and was the cleanest way to harness the energy potential of coal – the world's dominant fuel source.

“The ability of Anglo American and Shell to form a clean coal energy alliance, which has the potential to develop multiple projects, will create a sustainable competitive advantage, whilst creating value for shareholders of both the alliance partners,” Trahar said.

The alliance partners say they are now investigating an opportunity to incorporate Anglo American's Monash Energy Project, based in Australia, into the alliance.

The alliance initially envisages a coal mine, drying and gasification plant, carbon dioxide capture and storage and a gas-to-liquids (GTL) plant with associated power generation.