Australia has announced a week’s snap-lockdown in the key thermal coal producing regions of Hunter Valley and Newcastle to contain the spread of COVID. While the lockdown has been imposed for one week, there are chances of an extension if the outbreak doesn’t come under control, as per reports. Coal mines are allowed to operate, although the lockdown restricts free movement of labourers resulting in manpower shortage. Australian high-ash 6000 NAR thermal coal prices rose today to $160/t for Sep’21 compared with $151/t about two days back. The impact of the lockdown is yet to be felt on 5500 NAR coal prices that were last assessed at $95/t FoB Newcastle.
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