Mining Demand Reported : China Increased Coal Imports Reached 16.4 Mln Tons

End of the year 2009 has changed the status of the Chinese nation, AOS's largest coal importer in the world. Previously China was the largest coal producer in the world. But closing some coal mines in China, especially in the coal mine of Shanxi, China, AOS produced coal production declined sharply. Other factors increasing demand for coal in China is the growth of steel industry in China. Growth in China, AOS steel industry to encourage the demand for coking coal and metallurgical coal as supporting material to produce steel. Cold weather caused some of China, coal production has declined AOS.

Chinese coal demand was reported in the month of December reached 16:38 million tons, China, the previous AOS coal imports reached 16,073 million tons in June. Analysts in China, predicted China, AOS coal imports continue to increase until March 2010.

These conditions provide opportunities for mining companies coal and coal producers continue to increase coal production to meet demand for coal from China. It is estimated that coal prices will rise high enough until the first quarter of 2010.

In Januari Shenhua 1-13, AOS Huanghua port, one of the two coal companies receive a dedicated hub in northern China, down 68 ships carrying 2196 million tons of coal for generating electricity.

In the first 15 days of January, total coal production rose 8 percent from a year earlier, while sales increased by 28 percent and 12 percent of coal transported by rail compared with the same period in 2009.