EXL are doing very well and will continue to do so as new...

EXL are doing very well and will continue to do so as new production comes on stream. XStrata likewise. MCC the same. RIO ditto

The biggest winner in Australia will be BHP as they are by far positioned the best to capitalize on the steep increase in coal, particularly coking coal. BHP operates mostly premium quality coking coal mines in the Bowen Basin. their coal is sought after more so than semi soft and PCI coal, and as it attracts a higher price their margins are superior. BHP also has the ability to grow their production very strongly thru mine expansion rather than needing to bring new production on stream, this is far more cost effective and once again will be more profitable. Finally BHP has it's own export coal port at Hay point which it owns and operates, giving it a huge logistical edge over the other players who are relying on other companies and government beaurocracy to initiate port expansions to allow them to export more coal.

CHL has a plum market position as it does virtually all of the exploration, production and superintending coal testing for BHP, and they just recently extended their partnership until the end of 2008 at higher prices per tonne of coal tested.

For these reasons and others, BHP and CHL are both positioned extremely well within the booming coal sector.