Whitehaven Coal sees higher prices on disruptions
The company's Blackwater and Daunia mines in Queensland, which it recently purchased from BHP, produced 4.8 million tonnes.
The Western Australia’s government is considering changes to legislation that could see higher fines and mine managers sent to jail if workers die on site or are found to pollute the environment.
According to Perth Now, the new penalties would depend on company profits, meaning that giant miners like BHP Billiton (ASX: BHP)(LON: BHP)(NYSE: BHP) and Rio Tinto (LON:RIO) may have to pay larger fines than smaller resources companies.
The new laws would also apply to oil and gas companies.