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.)

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