Acquirer(s)

  • Australian Cement Holdings Pty Ltd

Target(s)

  • Kimbolton Coal Company Pty Ltd

Summary

Proposed acquisition of Kimbolton Coal Company by Australian Cement Holdings Pty Ltd.

Market definition

A market for thermal coal in Tasmania and nationally were both considered.

Competition analysis

ACH's wholly owned subsidiary, The Cornwall Coal Company No Liability (Cornwall) is Tasmania's only operating thermal coal supplier. Kimbolton coal has only one substantial asset, a mining lease over a deposit of approximately 600 kt of thermal coal, which would be exhausted within four to six years of reasonable production. Due to the quality of coal sourced from the deposit and the infrastructure requirements, Kimbolton have not been able to successfully operate the mine.

Due to importation costs it is likely that a geographic dimension of Tasmania alone applies for thermal coal. Under this market definition ACH would currently have 100% market share.

Market inquiries indicated that no party other than ACH would be able to profitably operate the mine. On this basis the Panel decided that the acquisition does not seem likely to substantially lessen competition.

Merger type

Horizontal

Guidelines thresholds

Unknown

Imports above 10%

No

Initiation

Parties

ANZSIC code

1101