The campaign will last until the end of March.

Provincial congress hails success in poverty alleviation, plans economic transformation.

It is expected that a new round of coal price rise will not appear until April or may.

"[Rail operator] Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) is cancelling many trains," said one supplier.

The increase took overall shipments for the last year to 407mn, slightly higher than a government-set target for the year of 400mn t.

Weak Polish thermal coal imports early in 2021 could tighten availability of fine grades, which until recently were oversupplied in the country.

China Taiyuan coal transaction price index stood at 143.89 points Monday, down 0.12 percent week on week.

Russian coal exports were practically flat on the year in 2020, as strong July-December demand offset a weak first half.