World-class Coals - November 2007 (complete) (PDF, 2.3 MB)

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Queensland coal industry outlook
Queensland is endowed with coal resources, including
high-quality coking coals, far in excess of domestic
needs for the foreseeable future. Consequently, it will
be able to maintain its high rate of coal exports for many
years into the future. Coal sales, for both export and
domestic consumption, are moving ahead to new record
levels with prices for export coal expected to increase
and remain strong in 2008.
With substantial new rail, port and water supply
infrastructure capacity now under construction, mines
ramping-up production and eight new mines opening
in 2006, the Queensland coal industry has entered yet
another phase of major expansion.
The supply of metallurgical coals to the world market will
remain a major part of this expansion, supplemented by
new thermal coal projects, particularly if infrastructure
is provided to service coal mining in the Surat Basin and
the southern and south-west Bowen Basin.
Continued strong demand for thermal coal could
lead to the development large new coal mines in new
frontiers of Queensland. Firstly, in the Surat Basin of
southern Queensland and later in the region north of the
township of Alpha in the Galilee Basin however the lack
of infrastructure in both these areas, including access to
rail and port facilities, is major impediment.
Queensland’s competitively priced coking coals will
continue to be in strong demand and will maintain
market share because of their superior quality and
proven reliability of supply.
Company mergers and acquisitions have dominated
the Queensland coal mining industry over recent years.
Queensland's World-class coals (November 2007)
www.dme.qld.gov.au
Most of Queensland’s major coal resources are now
controlled by large multinational corporations.
Opportunities still exist targeting smaller coal deposits
and a number of junior companies such as Custom
Mining Pty Ltd (Middlemount), Northern Energy
Corporation (Elimatta) and QCoal Pty Ltd (Sonoma)
are planning new mines with Sonoma commencing
prodcution in late 2007.
Unprecedented international demand, coupled with
strong coal prices, points towards continued strength
and success in the future for the Queensland coal-export
industry. The Queensland Government and the coal
industry are working together to establish the required
mining, land transport, port and civil infrastructure to
meet this demand.
The Queensland Government, in conjunction with the
Australian Coal Association, major coal producers
and the electricity industry is also striving to meet the
challenges of climate change.
With assistance from industry and research
organisations including CSIRO, the Queensland
Government is promoting the development of a
range of clean coal technologies to significantly
reduce emissions of greenhouse gases into the
atmosphere. These technologies include the capture
and underground storage of carbon dioxide into deep
underground reservoirs.
Successful demonstration of these new technologies
will ensure that coal will remain a fuel of choice with low
environmental impacts in the future.
Expansion works underway at Abbot Point coal terminal in 2007 – Abbot Point, Bowen
Photo: Ports Corporation of Queensland