This was an increase of 4.5% on the 227Mt produced in the previous year. Production of saleable coal rose by 4.3% from 175Mt to 182Mt, and coal exports rose 6.14% to 154.5Mt.
Employment in the coal industry rose 7% from 17,413 people in November 2006 to 18,636 in November 2007.
Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said the state's booming coal industry had a positive impact on the state as a whole.
“Mining royalties, and in particular coal royalties, help build our schools and hospitals, put police on the beat and teachers in our classrooms,” Wilson said.
“We all need to continue to support the coal industry, which is so vital to our economic growth and continued prosperity."
