Unfortunately that difference of $20/t can be easily wiped out...

Unfortunately that difference of $20/t can be easily wiped out by the inefficiencies in the Australian industry, the exchange rate, government red and green tape, mining and carbon taxes (hopefully soon abolished), and the ridiculously high costs of labour, materials and compliance here.

It would not surprise me in the least if a US mine with a largely local workforce could produce coal for $20/t less than a Qld mine with a largely FIFO workforce.