Coal news and updates

Abbot Point, Dalyrmple Bay ports in north Qld boost coal exports

The state government says the amount of coal being exported through Queensland's northern ports has increased beyond pre-global financial crisis levels.

The Treasurer's office has released figures showing two million tonnes of coal went through Abbot Point, near Bowen, last month.

It is a 30 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2012.

The Government says Queensland is on track to export nearly 200 million tonnes of coal for 2013-2014.

Dalrymple Bay, near Mackay, exported 5.79 million tonnes in October, which is up 19 per cent from the same time last year.

Transport Minister Scott Emerson says prices have also stabilised after significant drops.

"In some areas like the hard coking coal benchmark price, that's up five per cent - that's the first increase in more than two years, so I think that's good news," he said.

"The volumes are up, the prices are stabilising and in some areas, the prices have gone up.

"There are some areas of greenshoots and light on the horizon."



Source: www.abc.net.au