Chinese steel sector’s demand for coal to rise this year
According to the China Iron and Steel Association, Chinese iron and steel sector's demand for coking coal and fuel coal is expected to increase by 30 million tons this year. The sector imported 32.23 million tons of coke in 2003 and is expected to maintain the purchase level this year. According to the statistics based on 63 large and medium-sized steel enterprises in China, coking coal purchases are expected to reach 100.34 million tons this year with a rise of 17.9 million tons or up by 21.72% year-on-year while 45.56 million tons of fuel coal will be purchased with a rise 6.63 million tons or by 17.03%. The total purchase of coking coal and fuel coal is expected to reach 145.9 million tons, up by 24.53 million tons or by 20.2%.