The ties between NSW and India will continue to grow on the back of strong demand for metallurgical coal for steel production as the country continues to urbanise and industrialise.

An increasing share of metallurgical coal from the Southern Coalfield – home to the State’s largest reserves of coal for steel making – are now heading to India. Exports of 4 million tonnes to India in 2010-11 accounted for 72% of all coal leaving Port Kembla, up from 59% in 2009-10 and 51% in 2008-09.

NSW Minerals Council Deputy CEO Sue-Ern Tan will travel to New Delhi on Australia Day to promote the quality and accessibility of the State’s resources at the international industry conference Global Steel 2012.

“I’ll be flying the flag for NSW on our national day to show that we are well placed to meet the growing demand for coal in India,” she said.

“India is the world’s fourth biggest producer of steel and the third largest importer of metallurgical coal for steel making. While there has been a softening of demand due to the economic slowdown in Europe, future growth still looks strong out of Asia which is predicted to account for 75% of global metallurgical coal demand by 2030.

“NSW has a world-class workforce, a solid reputation for high grade coal and a strong trading relationship with Asia that we are building on to grow our exports and economic returns for the people of NSW.

“That’s reflected in the activity at our ports too. It’s good to see the Port Kembla Port Corporation is expanding its capacity, starting with the reclamation of 42 hectares of land currently underway. The Port Kembla Coal Terminal will also expand in the near future so that coal producers in the Illawarra and the Central West can grow their market share.”

The Global Steel 2012 conference has been organised by Illawarra coal producer Gujarat NRE Coking Coal Limited and Indian business newspaper The Economic Times.