http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/cyclone-de...

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/bus...l/news-story/cfb2a8723ebdddcb8ec534b92ad58642

The price of Australian coking coal exports last night surged $US23.40 to $US175.70 a tonne, according to the Steel Index, a data provider. That is the highest price paid since January 18. With Australia the world’s top supplier of steelmaking coal, the price of its exports is viewed as an international benchmark.
Aurizon, which hauls coal for miners including BHP Billiton and Glencore, said its four major rail routes through the central Queensland coal hub remain closed and some lines could take as many as five weeks to repair.
“The damage to rail networks is worse than we had expected,” said UBS.
Glencore said that, although its mines are running, exports “will be significantly impacted until flood waters recede and repairs to the rail systems are completed.”
UBS, which says it will be tricky to find alternative ways to transport coal from mining operations in remote parts of Queensland, estimates the disruptions could add $US100 a tonne, or even more, to the value of the fuel.