1.   Australian producers of lower quality coking coal may be forced to cut jobs and close pits following price talks in Tokyo.

2.   A rise in steel output would increase demand for coking coal and could push prices higher.

3.   Queensland will contribute to increased exports of thermal coal and will also benefit from a rise in Asian imports of coking coal for steel-making.

4.   Corporate affairs general manager Colin Myers said there was currently a shortage of coking coal.

5.   MIM Holdings Ltd. also said it expected a positive environment for talks on the price of quality coking coal.