A Queensland Resource Council (QRC) report has reveals that Queensland’s coal industry has yet again demonstrated its critical importance to the State’s economy by delivering record exports over the year to December 2018.

QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said new data from Queensland’s ports revealed total coal exports of 223 million tonnes (mt) surpassing the last record by 2 mt set in 2016.

“Countries around the world are using our metallurgical coal to make steel needed for building modern cities and our high-quality thermal coal is delivering tomorrow’s energy needs through high efficiency, low emission coal-fired power plants,” Mr Macfarlane said.

According to QRC’s data, Queensland coal was exported to 30 different countries or territories including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, England, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Gibraltar, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Philippines, Poland, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, Vietnam and Wales.

In addition, Queensland LNG from the Port of Gladstone recently set a new export record of 20.58 million tonnes (mt) in 2018.

“Every tonne of coal and all resources exported brings in royalty taxes, which help pay for Queenslanders’ roads, schools and hospitals, and pay for the teachers that educate our children, the nurses and doctors who look after our health and the police force that keeps us safe,” Mr Macfarlane said.

QRC’s current economic data shows the coal industry contributed AU$43.4 billion to the State’s economy in 2017/18 and invested AU$13.1 billion with local businesses and community organisations.

Source: www.qrc.org.au