BHP to suspend operations at Queensland coking coal mine and lay off 750 workers.

BHP Billiton announced a temporary suspension of operations at the Queensland coking coal mine in partnership with Mitsubishi, and will lay off 750 employees, due to low coal prices and the high royalties imposed by the Queensland state government which have weakened its earnings. Adam Lancey, the asset president of BHP Mitsubishi Alliance, stated that neither BHP nor Mitsubishi wants to see operations suspended or employees laid off, but given the high coal royalties imposed by the Queensland government and market conditions, it is necessary to stop operations.