Coal water mixture (CWM) is a mix of finely ground coal with
water and a small amount of chemicals. It is a new way of
transporting and handling coal. CWM can be transported, stored
and burned like fuel oil in steam generating boilers. It also has
some environmental advantages over both oil and bulk coal. A group comprising Ube Industries Limited, Nissho Iwai
Corporation (both from Japan) and Coal & Allied Industries
Limited has been working in Japan and Australia since 1987 on a
joint feasibility study into the production, transport and marketing
of CWM from Australia to Japan. The group has been studying the development of a large-scale
CWM plant on Kooragang Island at the mouth of the Hunter
River at Newcastle, NSW. The project concepts and engineering
plans for the CWM plant are well advanced and other studies
related to the project are continuing.