Underground production was slightly lower than April 2005, while open cut production accounted for 11.1Mt, down from 12.2Mt the previous April.
Of the total April production, coking coal exports totalled 8.5Mt with thermal exports making up 3.9Mt. Some 1.9Mt were used within the state of Queensland for electricity generation and 21,325t for cement/concrete products.
Some 15,373 people were employed at Queensland coal mines, both open-cut and underground during April 2005. In 2006 the figure has increased markedly to 18,316 employees, with 3,635 employed in the underground sector.
Coal exported through Gladstone port amounted to 4.2Mt, followed by Dalrymple Bay at 4.1Mt, Hay Point 2.7Mt, Abbot Point 1Mt and Brisbane 259,577t.
Of total April exports, Japan received the bulk of Queensland coal taking 5Mt, followed by Korea which received 1.8Mt and India 1.2Mt.
