Coal export figures show strong demand

The latest coal export figures continue to show strong demand for our high-quality NSW coal.

Global demand for NSW coal remained strong in 2023 with coal exports recovering from a fall in volumes largely due to weather events in the previous year.

Over 152 million tonnes of coal was exported from NSW in 2023, an increase of 8 million tonnes or around 6 percent on the previous year. Exports of high quality NSW thermal coal increased by 9.6 million tonnes or nearly 8 percent.

NSW ships high quality coal to around 20 countries globally, and while volumes may change over time in individual markets, the overall stability of demand is very encouraging. This is great news for coal mining jobs, which have remained steady at near-record levels of around 25,000 in NSW for most of the last twelve months or more.

Naturally, some NSW coal mines will close in the years ahead, and others will seek to continue or extend their operations. While the industry will change over time, NSW coal mining operations focused on export markets are likely to experience strong demand for at least another decade or more.

As the industry changes in the years ahead, there is a need for greater flexibility on what should happen at mine sites when mining is completed.

Our industry takes mine rehabilitation very seriously, with rehabilitation obligations that require land to be returned in good condition. However there is currently very little ability to ‘think outside the box’ when it comes to future land use.

Pumped-hydro plants, solar farms and other land use purposes have the potential to deliver more jobs to local communities on sites where mining is completed. However, current rules are too inflexible to allow consideration of new development opportunities that may not have been considered when mines received their original approval conditions years ago.

Coal mining in NSW will continue for some time yet. Demand is strong in key export markets, and the outlook is positive for at least a decade or more. In the meantime,  the NSW Government should consider changes to the rules to enable more flexibility on the future use of mined land.

Stephen Galilee

CEO, NSW Minerals Council