The London-listed company stuck to all of its production targets for 2021.

China won praise last year after President Xi Jinping pledged to make the country “carbon neutral” by 2060.

The company will continue to supply thermal coal to Eskom's Medupi and Matimba power stations in line with existing supply contracts.

Imports of crude oil, iron ore and coal are all expected to show gains from prior months.

Coal supplied about 20% of US electricity last year and may rebound to as much as 22% in 2021.

Commodity prices are rising rapidly as the manufacturing side of the global economy bounces back from the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic.