China to Ban High Ash, High Sulphur Thermal Coal Imports

Reuters reported that China is planning to ban imports of coal with high ash and sulphur content in a bid to combat air pollution. The new regulations are slated to come into effect in 2015.

As quoted in the publication:

China imported about 54 million tonnes of Australian thermal coal and another 13 million tonnes from South Africa in 2013 – most of which would not meet the proposed restrictions on ash and sulphur content.

The policy, previously reported by Reuters, comes as prices on the GlobalCOAL Newcastle index slump to a five-year low amid a supply glut and slowing demand from China, the world’s top importer.

Click here to read the full Reuters article.