Big hike in coal exports to India

INDIAN IMPORTS of SA coal this year have far exceeded expectations, according to a Reuters report. Figures from SA transport sources indicated that coal exports to India had reached 5.5-million tonnes in the calendar year up to end- August. In 2005, the report added, India imported around 3-m tonnes of SA coal but imports of the industrial fuel have risen sharply due to India’s booming demand for cement.