The coal output in the first three quarters of 2011 has hit 2.69 billion tons, up by 11.6 percent over the same period a year earlier. Its sales volume hit 2.64 billion tons, a 13.1 percent increase compared to the same period of 2010.

Coal export volume has dropped slightly this quarter while its import volume continues to increase. The market price of the coal has been quite stable.

Experts say that the domestic demand for coal will grow steadily but at a lower pace. Meanwhile, the productivity of the coal will increase and the 2011 Chinese coal output may exceed 3.5 billion tons.