Global diversified miner Anglo American Plc said Thursday it is considering spending up to $US15 billion (A$14.43 billion) over the next eight years to expand its Australian coal operations.

Anglo American chief executive Cynthia Carroll made the announcement to reporters attending the Commonwealth Business Forum.

"We're looking at the potential of investing between $US10 billion and $US15 billion, and creating over 3,200 jobs," Carroll said.

But she admitted the highly controversial new carbon tax of Australia would definitely create an impact on the value of its coal mines.

"Australia's carbon tax will absolutely have an impact on the net present value of the investment and that is something that we are gauging relative to other investments around the world", the Anglo American Plc CEO added.

Carroll said the company held a board meeting in Australia on Tuesday to discuss the potential expansion.

"We'll be making a decision probably by the end of the first quarter of next year," she said.

London-listed Anglo American Plc is Australia's fourth-largest coal producer.