Australian coal has several advantages over the competitors, including geology, coupled with modern mining and processing technology used by the country’s coal producers. Even the new projects, including Watermark mine, Maxwell, Adani Carmichael mine, etc., are backed by efficient technology integration.
The Australian coal sector has established itself as a sophisticated and high-tech industry built over 200 years of growth and innovation. It employs more than 60,000 people and generates billions of dollars to support the country’s economy. However, what makes Australian coal unique for the world is its energy content, coupled with low impurity and great efficiency as a coking agent.
Coal companies in Australia have been delivering high-quality coal to many customers across the world. It has several advantages over its competitors in the export market, including geology, coupled with modern mining and processing technology used by Australian coal producers. Even the new ones on the scene, including Watermark mine, Maxwell, Adani Carmichael mine, etc., are backed by efficient technology integration.
Modern mining practices, along with quality control processes and resources make Australian coal industry the key to reducing global emissions. Limiting the scope of such a key industry could ultimately result in the developing nations sourcing poorer quality substitutes to meet the demand. Such an event would lead to a greater cost to the environment.
The demand for millions of tons of coal across developing nations is only rising. Such a huge demand is understandable as well, considering the dependency of certain nations on the imported resources. At this juncture, it would be foolish to set aside the importance of the world’s fifth-largest producer and second-largest exporter of coal, especially when it is capable of producing the best quality coal.
Being a reliable supplier of coal throughout the world, the Australian coal industry would expect a conducive environment to operate in a seamless manner. Mining companies have been under enormous pressure to operate within stringent parameters. The global civil rights groups have often been guilty of exaggerating the community sentiment, which has greater implications for employment and acknowledgement in this sector. A recent example is that of the Adani Carmichael project, a coal mine that is capable of producing 10 million tons of coal per annum. The project faced motivated attacks by activist groups despite adhering to the rigorous checks and standards set by the government. .
The coal industry in New South Wales though is proposing 23 new coal mines and extensions that would amount to an annual production of 155 million tons. However, the same cannot be said for Queensland with the state’s coal exports hitting a four-year low, even when the coal sector has played a massive role to cushion the state’s economy during the pandemic.
The industry experts and government are still upbeat about the long-term prospects of the coal industry in Australia’s second-most populous state, but the authorities have been hesitant to approve the new projects. However, the growth prospects have certainly re-emerged after the pandemic with new projects like Adani Carmichael mine and Olive Downs set to begin production in 2021.