According to Macquarie Research, Elk Valley said it would produce 24 million tonnes of coking coal in 2005, down from the 25.5-26.5Mt forecast only three months ago.
Production in 2006 is put at 24-25Mt, compared to previous guidance of 28.5Mt.
Such is the shortage of tyres, that an Australian analyst recently told MiningNews.net that a used tyre with only 10% of its life left was costing 90% of a new tyre.