Okay, so lots of discussion around the possibility of selling...

Okay, so lots of discussion around the possibility of selling metcoal into the thermal market.

for whitehaven the situation is as follows:
Both Narrabri (~1mt per annum PCI) and Maules Creek (theoretically up to 50% of production semisoft) can be used by thermal power plants. In fact countries like Japan love the quality due to its lower ash content (5-8%) as in Japan ash disposal comes at a significant cost). Same goes for a small portion of Tarrawonga.
As the report indicates already whc has been optimising their portfolio and reduce the proportion sold as metcoal due to the unusually strong thermal coal market.
There are two main reasons why the proportion metcoal is not even lower yet. First there are existing commitments that need to be fulfilled. Secondly they would want to maintain their relationships with most metcoal customers as usually metcoal attracts a better price and arguably has a longer future.
The higher swelling properties of metcoal can indeed be a concern to thermal consumers however in case of Whitehaven all can be blended such that utilities will not experience any issues.
Important to note is that the volatile matter (VM) content of whc's met coal is the same as their thermal coals and very well suitable for most thermal consumers.
On the other hand regular coking coals (basically most of the queensland metcoal production) has apart from the swell a much lower VM content and can not be burned in a regular thermal boiler. Even if arguably with some technical adjustment they could, it will not happen unless the coal that meets their boiler design runs dry. At best some of the metcoal is blended in small proportion (max 10-20%) into a thermal shipment and it will not show up in the certificates whilst improving economics This practice is performed by some traders but still quite controversial as the receiver will usually not be told.

hope this clarifies

Other that that what a beauty $WHC is, hope we see the current trend continue!