WASHINGTON: Chile imported 935,000 mt of coal in August, up 10% from the same month of last year, Energy Ministry data showed Tuesday. But the monthly figure marked an 11% fall from July. In August, Australia overtook Colombia as Chile’s main coal supplier, shipping 416,000 mt, against 270,000 mt from the South American country. Chile also imported 184,000 mt from the US and 65,000 mt from Canada.
During the first eight months of the year, Chile imported 7.862 million mt, up 20% from the same period of 2016, figures showed. The increase in Chile’s coal imports reflects increased demand from the country’s energy sector.
Coal-fired power plants generated 15% more electricity in September, compared to the same month a year ago, as they compensated from a decline in hydroelectric generation. Chile relies on imports for around 80% of its coal needs. The country’s only major coal mine, Mina Invierno, was due to produce 2.3 million mt of coal this year, some of which it is exporting to India.
