AURIZON SECURES EXPANSION

AURIZON (ASX: AZJ) has secured a long-term contract with Caledon Coal.

The performance-based contract involves haulage of up to four million tonnes per annum of coal with a ramp-up profile from their Cook mine in central Queensland to the new Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal (WICET).

The 11-year contract is effective from May 2015, when WICET commences shipping for customers, and runs to June 2026.

The contract was contestable and supersedes Aurizon's existing contract for 500,000 tonnes per annum.

"Aurizon is delighted to renew and extend its relationship with Caledon through to 2026," says Mauro Neves, executive vice president of commercial and marketing.

"With these significant expansion tonnages, Caledon is showing great confidence in the strong future of the Queensland coal sector.

"Aurizon is pleased to secure this contract and partner with Caledon in this growth."

The coal will be transported using existing Aurizon electric trains on the Blackwater system to the new WICET, at the port of Gladstone.