Coal exports from Queensland reach around 216 million t

Coal exports from Queensland reached around 216 million t in 2014, according to latest data from Queensland Resources Council.

The report stated that the Port of Gladstone stood on top with 69.6 million t of exports for the 2014 calendar year.

The news continues an upward trend of increasing coal exports over the past few years.

The state shipped 168 million t and 196 million t of coal in 2012 and 2013, respectively.

Queensland Resources Council CEO, Michael Roche, said: "What we are seeing are Queensland coal producers replacing the high prices of a few years ago with the volumes necessary to keep their operations viable in a currently depressed market.”

"Their first goal must be to outperform competitors attracted to the export market by record prices that peaked around 2009-10," Roche added.

Coal producers in Queensland spent AUS$19 billion in 2013 - 14.

Coal industry is said to represent around 13% of the state's economic output and 10% of total employment.

Edited from various sources by Sam Dodson

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/handling/14012015/coal-exports-from-queensland-reach-216-million-t-1747/