Chinese Coal Demand Expected to Surge; Government to Cut Coal Charges

He said China net coal imports will remain high this year, likely hitting 150 million metric tons (mt) and are expected to increase in 2012 and 2013. Xiangbin estimated country coal demand in the second half will be higher than in the first half, and its total coal demand for 2011 will reach 3.73 billion mt, up by 9.7% year-on-year. China’s raw coal output reached 1.77 billion mt in the first half of this year representing a year-on-year increase of 13% and its coal sales volume reached 1.71 billion mt during the period, 14% more than a year ago.