Metallurgical coal from the state’s Southern Coalfields had increased to India of late, NSW Minerals Council deputy chief executive officer Sue-Ern Tan said.

Four million tonnes of coal exports from Port Kembla accounted for 72% of total exports leaving the terminal in 2010-11, up from 59% in 2009-10 and 51% in 2008-09.

Tan travelled to New Delhi on Australia Day to promote the quality of the state’s resources at the international industry conference Global Steel 2012.

Tan said the state’s flourishing resources positioned it to meet India’s growing coking coal demand.

“NSW has a world-class workforce, a solid reputation for high grade coal and a strong trading relationship with Asia that we are building on to grow our exports and economic returns for the people of NSW,” Tan said.

Asia is predicted to account for 75% of global metallurgical coal demand by 2030.

The country is the world’s fourth biggest producer of steel and the third largest importer of metallurgical coal for steel making.

Tan said the expansion at the Port Kembla Port Corporation would enable NSW to continue exporting large amounts of coal to India.

“It’s good to see the Port Kembla Port Corporation is expanding its capacity, starting with the reclamation of 42 hectares of land currently underway,” she said.

“The Port Kembla coal terminal will also expand in the near future so that coal producers in the Illawarra and the Central West can grow their market share.”