1.   Australia is predicting a boom in coal exports as high-growth Asian economies increase their demands for electricity-producing steaming coal, in particular.

2.   Steaming coal is used for electricity production.

3.   The industry official said supplies of steaming coal are very tight with demand strong and broadly-based.

4.   Liquified petroleum gas and base metal prices tumbled in May but the cost of crude oil and steaming coal rose.