Coal news and updates

Sasol coal exports up 5% despite production dip

Emissions rise from towers at the Sasol Ltd. Sasol One Site in Sasolburg, South Africa, on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019. Sasol said some of its South African plants are under threat from sulfur dioxide emission standards that it will need to comply with by 2025. Photographer: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images

July 22 (Reuters) – South African petrochemicals company Sasol increased coal exports by 5% in the year to June 30, driven by improved freight rail performance and higher production at its Thubelisha colliery, it said on Monday.

A production update from the world’s biggest producer of fuels and chemicals from coal and gas said that it exported 2.1 million tons of coal during its financial year, up from 2 million tons previously.

The company, however, reported a 2% dip in coal production to 30.2 million metric tons from 30.8 million tons the previous year, mainly owing to a reduction to its mining operations.

Output from Sasol’s Secunda operations, where the company produces synthetic fuels and chemicals from coal, was flat at 7 million tons.

Revenue from the chemicals business declined 13% to $7.86 billion, mainly because of lower prices.

Sasol releases its financial results on Aug. 20.

(Reporting by Nelson Banya; Editing by David Goodman)