Three agree on coal goal

CSIRO and two coal companies signed a three-way coal research and development Joint Statement in Tokyo on Wednesday to guide future coal industry research.

The three signatories were the Japan Coal Energy Centre (JCOAL), Australian Coal Research (ACR), and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).

The purpose of the Joint Statement is to establish understanding about the principles and guidelines to be followed by the three parties in developing their relationship and in discussing and establishing future collaborative research projects in the development of coal-related technologies.

The signatories have agreed to coordinate research and development and pool the scientific and technical results. They will work together in the operation of special research or pilot facilities and share information through meetings, workshops, seminars and the exchange of researchers.

The Joint Statement builds on a number of previous agreements. The Enhanced Framework for Energy and Minerals Cooperation between Australia and Japan was signed in 2003 between the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources of Australia. The Aichi Coal R&D Joint Statement signed between CSIRO and JCOAL in 2005 then followed.