Australia-based coal mining companies Whitehaven Coal and Aston Resources are currently negotiating a planned corporate merger.

If the merger takes place, the combined companies will have a total output of 27Mtpa by 2015.

The combined value of the two coal miners is estimated at $4.7bn, if the transaction is complete, reports au.ibtimes.com.

Whitehaven managing director Tony Haggarty said the merger negotiations are still in their early stages and it is remains unclear if the merger will be suitable to submit to Whitehaven shareholders for approval.