Latest coal export data confirm that the Queensland industry is operating at around two-thirds of its capacity compared with 12 months ago.

Queensland Resources Council Chief Executive Michael Roche said that in February 2011, Queensland exported 8 million tonnes of coal compared with 12 million tonnes in February 2010.

‘This is only one month’s worth of exports, but the numbers are consistent with company reports and the QRC’s own estimates of a 30 million tonne downturn in coal production in 2010-11 caused by wet season floods,’ Mr Roche said.

‘Three out of four coal mines are still working to remove water from their properties under special environmental discharge approvals from the state government.

‘These special discharge approvals are of limited benefit without the right rainfall pattern, and there is now growing concern over the outlook for continuing rain in the coal regions and possible formation of another tropical cyclone.

‘What can be pumped off a site can be replaced just as quickly by such rainfall, and your flooded coal pit is then right back to square one of the business recovery phase.’

Mr Roche said it was pleasing to note that Queensland’s new Minister for Employment, Skills and Mining, Stirling Hinchliffe, had wasted no time in personally inspecting some of the Bowen Basin’s flood-affected mines.

The QRC and independent consultants have forecast coal production losses of at least $5 billion this financial year, with resulting lost royalties of $400 million.