China's total coal production capacity including under mines construction is estimated at more than 5 billion tons while its coal output for next year will probably reach 3.7 billion tons, leaving more than 20 percent of its capacity idle, according to David Fang, a director with
China Coal Transport and Distribution Association in Beijing.
Not counting carbon emissions from burning the coal, scientists, environmentalists, and concerned citizens
along coal transport routes are worried that these cumulative impacts will harm public health, disrupt their daily lives, and negatively impact the ecological health of waterways along the path from mine to port.
But if you subtract the $ 1.27 billion / year in subsidies the
Queensland coal transport sector received over the six years from 2008 - 09 to 2013 - 14, Queensland's «gain» from its numerous coal mines was only around $ 670 million / year.
The advantages in the use of this technology are the low plant costs (as no surface gasifiers are required) and the absence
of coal transport costs.
Coalminer's pneumoconiosis — Affects coal miners and some workers involved in associated industries such
as coal transport and storage
Railway tariffs cost about 0.15 yuan per metric ton for each kilometer, less than half the cost of around 0.35 yuan by truck, according to data from the
China Coal Transport and Distribution Association.