Industry Analysis & Industry Trends
Australia is a major global coal producer and the biggest exporter of seaborne coal. The Black Coal Mining industry is expected to generate revenue of $59.4 billion in 2012-13, yielding annualised revenue growth of 9.5% compared with five years earlier. This strong growth has occurred due to higher annual prices for coal and growing production over the past five years. These factors have also contributed to an increase in industry profitability over the period. However, industry revenue is expected to fall by 4.0% in 2012-13, as much lower coal prices more than offset higher output and export volumes.
The main barriers to performance over the past five years have been disrupted production due to prolonged industrial disputes and adverse weather conditions during 2010-11... purchase to read more
Industry Report - Industry SWOT Analysis Chapter
Overall the industry is mature but with elements of growth. The expansion reflects high levels of growth in industry production and large price rises. The industry's switch from an old product (coking coal) to a renewed one (steaming coal) is continuing. The demand for steaming surged in the early 1980s in response to oil price shocks and the search for alternative forms of energy. Although the pace of growth in steaming coal production has eased since that time, it continues to outstrip growth in coking coal output.
A key risk faced by steaming coal producers is concern over greenhouse gas emissions associated with coal-burning. Coal producers face the prospect of losing market share to other forms of energy, such as natural gas, or, to a lesser extent, renewables... purchase to read more