Business

£30m investment puts Belfast at heart of hi-tech coal industry

Coal imported from Columbia is being processed by LCC in Belfast before then being exported to regions like Saudi Arabia, Australia and North Africa
Coal imported from Columbia is being processed by LCC in Belfast before then being exported to regions like Saudi Arabia, Australia and North Africa Coal imported from Columbia is being processed by LCC in Belfast before then being exported to regions like Saudi Arabia, Australia and North Africa

COAL originally sourced in Columbia is now being shipped to the likes of Saudi Arabia, Australia and North Africa - after being set down at a high-tech processing facility in Belfast to have any impurities removed.

It follows investments totalling more than £30 million by the Cookstown-headquartered LCC Group (it was originally founded in 1980 as Lissan Coal Company) and Belfast Harbour.

Since opening last year, LCC’s £12m facility has handled half a million tonnes of processed mainly Columbian coal which is then exported directly across the world.

That investment and export opportunity by LCC is built upon a £20m investment by Belfast Harbour in recent years to enhance its deep water and cranage capability.

The LCC facility, the most sophisticated of its kind in the world, removes impurities from coal, which then used to produce ferro alloy and silica metals which are used in the manufacture of hi-end products such as solar panels and medical equipment.

More than 130 direct and indirect jobs are supported by the coal-processing operation including engineers, lab technicians and port support services.

Michael Loughran of LCC Group said: “This £12m investment means we operate one of the most environmentally friendly, state-of-the-art coal processing facilities to be found anywhere in the world.

"In addition to creating 30 new jobs and another 100 indirect jobs in supporting sectors, the facility has put Belfast at the heart of the global hi-tech coal industry.

“Working in partnership with Belfast Harbour and building upon its investments in port infrastructure, LCC is now to the fore of the emerging clean-tech coal sector. The facility is designed to meet the most stringent 21st century environmental standards, and uses the most up-to-date technology to combat potential air and water pollution.”

Belfast Harbour’s commercial director Michael Robinson added: “In recent years Belfast Harbour has invested around £20m in a new deep-water quay and new, larger cranes to enhance its bulk cargo operations in anticipation of our customers’ future needs.

"This has enabled the port to handle ever larger vessels and accommodate LCC’s new facility beside its main bulk handling quay at Stormont Wharf.

“Belfast Harbour is now handling direct export shipments to Saudi Arabia for the first time in its history and recently exported bulk cargo to Australia for the first time in living memory. This new trade is also supporting jobs across a wide range of port services including stevedores and hauliers.”

In the last week alone, Belfast Harbour handled a shipment of 20,000 tonnes of processed coal destined for Saudi Arabia.