PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Coal miners in Queensland exported a record amount of coal during 2014, with nearly 216-million tonnes shipped, the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) said on Tuesday.

QRC analysis of port export data for the 2014 calendar year shows that the Port of Gladstone topped the list with exports of 69.6-million tonnes, followed by Dalrymple Bay with 67.5-million tonnes, Hay Point with 40.8-million tonnes, Abbot Point with 22.9-million tonnes, and the Port of Brisbane with 8-million tonnes.

QRC CEO Michael Roche noted that coal exports in 2014 were slightly higher than forecast and indicative of a trend that started with 168-million tonnes in 2012 and 196-million tonnes in 2013.

“What we are seeing are Queensland coal producers replacing the high prices of a few years ago with the volumes necessary to keep their operations viable in a currently depressed market,” Roche said.

“Queensland producers are saying to overseas customers that they are here for the long haul with the reliable supply of a range of high-quality coals. Their first goal must be to outperform competitors attracted to the export market by record prices that peaked around 2009-10.”

Roche said that in an effort to maintain output, Australian coal produces have focused their constant and ongoing attention on higher efficiency and cost reductions, which have been aided on the revenue side to some extent by a lower Australian dollar.

In 2013/14, Queensland coal producers spent A$19-billion statewide on wages, goods and services and voluntary community contributions, which is calculated to have generated a further A$20.8-billion in economic activity and employment for an additional 208 000 Queenslanders, Roche noted.

“The coal industry alone is responsible for about 13% of the state’s economic output and 10% of total employment. It also provided more than A$1.9-billion of the A$2.5-billion in royalties paid to the state government last financial year that went to help pay for essential services such as hospitals, schools and roads.”