Aurizon and GVK Coal Infrastructure (Singapore) Pte Ltd (GVK Hancock) have signed a non-binding term sheet to jointly progress the development of rail and port infrastructure to unlock Galilee Basin coal reserves including GVK Hancock’s Alpha, Kevin's Corner and Alpha West coal mines and a process to support the next phase of coal growth in the Bowen Basin.
Under the proposed framework, Aurizon, would acquire a majority (51%) interest in Hancock Coal Infrastructure Pty Ltd (HCI), which owns GVK Hancock's rail and port projects, and would invest through upfront consideration at completion of the transaction and deferred consideration at financial close of each phase of the projects.
“This is one of the most significant deals in Queensland’s coal history. The development of the rail and port infrastructure will unlock the Galilee Basin and see the development of Alpha, Kevin’s Corner and Alpha West, creating one of the largest integrated coal development projects globally. I am sure it will be a win-win relationship leveraging on each other’s strengths in project development and operation." said Dr G V Krishna Reddy, Chairman of GVK.
"The proposed relationship with Aurizon would allow us to jointly develop the most cost and time efficient rail and port solution for the Galilee Basin. At full capacity, the proposed arrangement is intended to provide sufficient equity and debt funding for the projects to reach financial close. The parties jointly will leverage the work already completed by GVK, the significant potential for ECA financing and Aurizon’s experience and capacity to undertake major projects and capability in heavy haul rail and infrastructure” said G V Sanjay Reddy, Vice-Chairman of GVK.
“The proposed Aurizon-GVK Hancock arrangement is a significant milestone because it brings together two advanced, large-scale players in the mine-rail-port space for the Galilee. Aurizon has always believed that realizing Galilee Basin coal exports would require a consolidated rail and port solution that delivers a staged, commercially-sensible solution for producers. This solution could also provide significant opportunity for new and existing Bowen Basin producers to utilize elements of this infrastructure,” said Lance Hockridge, Aurizon Managing Director & CEO.
Aurizon and GVK Hancock are seeking a development of a potential 60mtpa port and rail project that would underpin the opening of reserves in the Galilee Basin and continued growth of the Bowen Basin. Aurizon and GVK Hancock would jointly manage the proposed rail and port projects.
These projects comprise a greenfield rail project and a development right for a coal terminal at Abbot Point. GVK Hancock received the primary State and Commonwealth environmental approvals for its greenfield rail project in May and August 2012 respectively. GVK Hancock’s port project received Commonwealth environmental approval in October 2012.
Collectively the proposed development of the rail and port infrastructure which is expected to deliver export capacity of 60 mtpa could represent an investment for Queensland in the order of $6 billion.
Following completion of the transaction, Aurizon would gain the rights to operate and jointly manage with GVK the rail infrastructure and to exclusively provide above rail haulage from GVK Hancock’s Alpha and Kevin’s Corner mines for up to 60mtpa of coal.
Aurizon and GVK Hancock would also jointly determine the optimum rail solution that may include a combination of GVK Hancock’s rail project and Aurizon’s Central Queensland Integrated Rail Project (CQIRP) that would ultimately connect with the proposed T3 coal terminal at Abbot Point.
Both Aurizon’s and GVK Hancock’s existing rail projects have been declared as significant projects (now “co-ordinated projects”) by the Queensland Coordinator-General.
The proposed new rail solution would be located within the Queensland Government’s preferred rail corridors for the development of the Galilee Basin as defined under Queensland Government policy announced in June 2012, and is intended to align with Government policy on shared infrastructure and open access.
Completion of the proposed transaction, including the upfront consideration from Aurizon, would be subject to the satisfaction of a number of conditions including satisfactory due diligence, final Board approvals, third party approvals (some of which are outside the control of the parties) and negotiation of final terms and definitive documentation.
Any deferred consideration beyond completion of the transaction (other than proportional project development costs) would be used to fund project construction costs and be subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, including third party debt financing and achievement of agreed take or pay contracts to underwrite the proposed infrastructure.
Aurizon and GVK Hancock will update the market when the parties execute final agreements on all terms of the proposal.
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