The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has released a draft determination proposing to aurhorise Endocoal, Whitehaven Coal, Yancoal Australia, QC Resource Investments and Linc Energy to collectively bargain with Adani Mining for access to its new coal terminal at Dudgeon Point and with Aurizon Network for access to below rail infrastructure to transport their coal to the terminal.

“This decision allows coal miners to conduct more timely and efficient negotiations to secure terminal and rail capacity, which is likely to reduce the risk of unnecessary delays in the construction of this terminal and coal export growth,” ACCC Commissioner Joe Dimasi said.

“The ACCC is satisfied that the voluntary nature of the arrangements, the limited composition of the collective bargaining group and the limited scope of the negotiations means there is little, if any, public detriment.”

The ACCC proposes to grant authorisation for 15 years, to cover initial contract negotiations and to allow any long term contracts to be given effect to.

The ACCC has also granted interim authorisation to enable the parties to commence collective negotiations.