NSW coal output continues to grow despite job cuts

Latest statistics on NSW coal output show that domestic production and export volumes to international markets grew steadily over the last 12 months, continuing the growth trends of recent years.

According to numbers compiled by Coal Services Pty Ltd, saleable coal production increased 5.7 percent over 2013/14, from 185 million tonnes to over 196 million tonnes. The data also shows in the 11 months to 31st of May 2014, coal exports from Newcastle have increased by nearly eleven percent, from 129 million tonnes to 143 million tonnes.

This growth comes despite hundreds of jobs being cut in the past 12 months from Integra’s  Camberwell and Glennies Creek  mines,  Anglo’s Drayton mine, Rio Tinto’s Mount Thorley Warkworth, and the BHP-run Mt Arthur Coal mine.

NSW coal exports to all major trade destinations have also shown steady increases.  China has cemented itself as our second largest market for coal, with exports rising by nearly 26 percent.  Growth in export volume to our other major markets included Japan at nearly 4 percent, South Korea at nearly 9 percent, and Taiwan at nearly 15 percent.

“This growth in production and the volume of coal exported is a good sign for economic growth in NSW. Our mining regions have some of the best quality coal in the world and these figures show demand is still strong,” NSW Minerals Council CEO, Stephen Galilee said today.

“The highly respected International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates global electricity demand could double between 2009 and 2035 as more people are able access electricity and household energy consumption grows in the developing world. And in it’s latest assessment the IEA says coal will meet more of the increase in global energy demand than oil or gas over the next five years.”

“The NSW coal industry is well placed to make the most of this demand, with an experienced and highly accomplished mining workforce, and good infrastructure including the world’s largest coal export port.

“So while the local industry is experiencing short-term challenges, the long term prospects are good, provided we can continue to meet the future demand,” he said.