The coal is to go from Caledon’s Cook mine in Central Queensland to the Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal.

The contract is effective from May 2015, when WICET starts shipping for customers and runs to June 2026.

The contract was contestable and supersedes Aurizon’s existing contract for 500,000tpa.

The coal will be moved using existing Aurizon electric trains on the Blackwater system to WICET.

Caledon has modernised the Cook Colliery to allow it produce the 4Mtpa.

Cook Colliery is about 30km south of Blackwater in Queensland.

It is an underground operation that produces and 80:20 split of coking and thermal coal.

Aurizon executive vice-president of commercial and marketing Mauro Neaves said that by adding significant tonnes, Caledon was showing great confidence in the Queensland coal sector.