OREANDA-NEWS. Mitsui & Co., Ltd announced that the production from the new mining area ("Project" or otherwise known as Kestrel Mine Extension) owned by Kestrel Joint Venture (Kestrel J/V: Rio Tinto 80%, Mitsui 20%) in Queensland, Australia has commenced.

The Kestrel Mine commenced operation in 1992 and at present it produces approximately 4 million tons per annum (Mtpa) of high quality coking coal. Due to start of production from the new mining area, the average production for the entire mine over the remaining 20 year operating period of the Project is estimated to be approximately 5.7 Mtpa.

Mitsui has positioned coal business as one of its core activities in the area of mineral resources and energy. Mitsui aims to expand its equity coal production and contribute to stable supply of coal in order to meet the increasing global demand.