Meanwhile thermal coal exports increased 34% in value over the 12 months to December 2017.
Queensland Resources Council CEO Ian Macfarlane said the Queensland treasury figures again demonstrated exports from resources were powering ahead and lifting the state’s prosperity.
“Despite the predictions of green activists, the value of thermal coal exports surged 18% [in the December quarter] while the worth of LNG exports lifted 15%,” he said.
“Demand for these commodities is expanding from both developing economies in Asia and established economies.”
Macfarlane said resources were the state’s largest export industry, which last year generated more than 70% of total merchandise export value and supported close to 300,000 jobs including a 12% lift in full-time employment.
