Australian 2004 coal exports up 23%

Australian 2004 coal exports up 23%

The total value of Australian coal exports reached A$13.5 billion in 2004, up 23% compared to A$10.9 billion recorded in 2003, according to provisional data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australia exports most of its coal to Asia, particularly Japan, China, South Korea and Taiwan. These countries use coal in generators and blast furnaces for steelmaking. Australia's December coal exports rose to A$1.3 billion, up slightly from A$1.2 billion in November. Australia exported 11.2 million metric tons of coking coal in December, while thermal coal exports totaled 8.6 million metric tons.