Relevant except: Jan 27 (Reuters) - Coal production in Australia's flood-hit Queensland state could drop by between 25 percent and 50 percent this quarter, as the sector starts its recovery, an industry study said on Thursday.
Although Queensland produces mostly coking coal, *it also produces some thermal coal used for power generation*. Australia is the world's second largest exporter of thermal coal behind Indonesia. By some estimates, Australia's coal industry is making a faster-than-expected recovery from flooding over the last two months, *though some producers are warning that output this quarter will suffer*. The *annual wet season*, which meteorologists say has been exaggerated by a La Nina event, *normally runs until April, leaving open the chance for more rain*. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL3E7CR0C320110127
