Iron ore miner Rio Tinto disclosed today that its new Clermont mine in Central Queensland will have its first export shipping next month.

The coal mine also announced that it has recently produced its first 5,000 tonnes of coal from its newly developed mine.

"The mine actually started mining overburden in May 2008, but in term of getting to coal and coal production that has occurred this week, which is obviously a very significant milestone for the mine," he said.

According to media reports, the development of its newest thermal coal mine was priced at $1 billion and is expected to produce more than 12 million tonnes of high-quality thermal coal annually, for the next 17years.

Development of the coal mine commenced in 2007, with its first coal that unveiled in February at a depth of 105 meters.

Dave Lamb, the mine general, explained that a 13 kilometer conveyor belt has transported the coal to a nearby Blair Athol mine, where it is carried by rail.

"To build our own independent rail loop and stacking and reclaiming facilities, it would have added a significant amount of cost to the overall project, so it was very fortunate that being so close to one of our own existing mines, we were able to share that infrastructure," Mr. Lamb said.