Canadian coal production fell 2.1% in June compared with June 1999 largely due to reduced capacity following mine closures.

For the month, coal production totalled 5. 71 million tonnes while year-to-date production stood at 35.61Mt, down 1.6% from the same period of 1999.

Exports have declined by 26.6% over June 1999 to 2.41Mt. Exports to Canada's largest market, Japan, dropped 36% to 818,000t for the month. Year-to-date figures show total exports of 16.52Mt, down 2.4% from last year.

The closure of domestic suppliers pushed up Canada's coal imports 12% for the second quarter compared with the second quarter of 1999. Year-to-date figures show imports of 9.69Mt, up 22.6% from the 1999 level. Meanwhile, coke production in June decreased to 269,000t, down 8.7% from June 1999.