The union said 90% of voters supported stoppages of one to six hours, while 94% voted for bans on non-rostered overtime, among other actions.

The average daily output was equivalent to 13 million tonnes, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics.

South32 said it now expects to produce 7Mt in total coal production for the year to June 2023, compared with its prior forecast of 7.4 Mt.

The cheapest way for Australia to reduce methane emissions is to reduce leaks from coal mines, according to a recent analysis.

Cement factories in the northern industrial hub Hebei are scheduled for a five-month rationing of output.

South Africa is the world’s 13th-biggest source of greenhouse-gas emissions and relies on coal for more than 80% of its electricity. 

Australia has been a rare beneficiary of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

China’s two biggest coal-producing regions have been hit by virus flare-ups and lockdowns that are disrupting supplies and boosting prices.