After 8 years of exploration, feasibility studies, development application and mine construction since 1991, Bengalla Coal Mine of Australia shipped its first coal in April 1999. Taipower holds 10% of interests in the Bengalla Joint Venture. From the inception of the project through current mine operation and marketing, Taipower fully utilizes its comprehensive knowledge of world thermal coal industry and professional experience in international business negotiations and overseas exploration programs of energy mineral resources to provide valuable views on technichal and management issues and actively participate in decision-making of the Joint Venture. Bengalla contains substantial thermal coal reserves totaling 360 million metric tons suitable for open cut mining with low stripping ratio which allows production to continue for over 40 years. Its annual design production targeting 7 million metric tons has now reached more than 5 million metric tons. Bengalla has proved that it is a state-of-the-art large-scale surface mine of high productivity and cost competitiveness under most stringent environmental standards.