Xstrata Coal is the world’s largest exporter of thermal coal and the fifth largest producer of hard coking coal, producing both premium quality hard coking coal and semi-soft coal. Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, Xstrata Coal has interests in over 30 operating coal mines throughout Australia, South Africa and Colombia. Thermal coal is used in power generation, while coking coal is used mainly in the production of steel and other industrial applications.

Across these global operations, there is a total commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace, with Xstrata Coal allocating significant resources to training and management systems to ensure a best practice approach to safety at all times. Parallel to this is an unwavering focus on meeting its environmental commitments.

With a complementary mix of underground and open cut mines which produce thermal, coking and semi-soft coal products, Xstrata Coal is Australia's leading exporter of thermal coal and South African's third largest coal exporter.

This strategic split of operations enables access to both the Pacific and Atlantic export coal markets. The export market represents around 90% of Xstrata Coal's customer base, with the Australian and domestic markets the remainder.

Best described as a truly diversified producer, in terms of geography, pricing, markets and product, Xstrata Coal is a dynamic company that is leading the way in today's world coal market.

Xstrata Coal is a member of the FutureGen Alliance and has committed US$25 million to support the building of a first-of-a-kind integrated near-zero emission coal-fuelled power plant in the United States.

Xstrata Coal is also a major contributor to the AUD$300 million COAL 21 voluntary industry fund for the development of Australian clean coal technologies.