Fast-developing Asian nations to underpin coal demand

Strong economic development in South East Asia and India will underpin global coal demand, which is set to return to 2014 levels in the next four years, paving the way for Australia to increase its share of global trade. Citing the World Energy Outlook (WEO) 2016 report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) said on Thursday that demand for coal in Asia would grow at 0.8% a year, with Indian demand for coal growing at 3.6% a year and Southeast Asia at 4.4% a year.