India’s outback coal bets sour as global prices recover

"China's mines are considered among the world's deadliest due to lax safety regulation, corruption and poor operating procedures."

Capital expenditure in mining peaked last year, stabilized in the second half of 2012 and then plunged steeply in the March quarter, wiping almost $1.5 billion off Australia's quarterly output.

The five main investment-grade markets — Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Peru and Colombia— have been expanding below projections or showing signs of weakness.

Coal profitability constraints spell trouble for contractors.

Industry reps say up to 15,000 skilled people are needed in the next 10 years.

Rajasthan is India's largest state by area.

"These people just flit into the town and flit back out."

The government is also working on a bill to update the mining act.

Agency foresees a very harsh competition between coal and gas.