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Exploration expenditure in 2003 increased nearly 28% last year, rising from $166.1 million in 2001-02 to $212.4 million in 2002-03.
Meantime the coal industry exported 129.2 million tonnes of coal, worth a fraction under $8 billion free on board.
According to the recently released Queensland Minerals and Petroleum Review of 2003, coal shipments were made to 35 countries around the world, with Japan continuing to be the largest importer, buying 50.46 Mt, or around 39% of total exports.
