Coal Production

Total production of raw black coal in Australia in financial year 2010-11 was 405 million tonnes (Mt.), down from  471 Mt. in 2009-10. This drop was largely as a result of the Queensland floods of January 2011 where production in that State fell by some 30% (see below).

After processing, 326 Mt. of black coal was available for both domestic use and for export in 2010-11. Again, this represented a drop in production of some 14% from  the 366 Mt. produced in 2009-10.

New South Wales and Queensland remained the main producing states with around 97% of Australia's saleable output of black coal, and almost all of Australia's black coal exports. (Exports from Western Australia commenced in 2007.)

Australia has $26.5 billion in advanced coal mining projects and associated infrastructure, involving more than 74 million additional tonnes of coal production by 2014. ‘Less advanced’ coal mine and coal infrastructure projects have a potential capital expenditure of $46.6 billion, if all projects were to proceed.

Reclaimer, Curragh Mine Queensland, photo by Evan Colliss supplied by Wesfarmers