CEMENT makers in the Gulf state of Oman and the United Arab Emirates have joined cement makers in India and Pakistan in seeking increased quantities of South African coal to use as a fuel and raw material, Reuters reports traders saying.

Demand from the Gulf is unlikely to be huge but will be a price-boosting factor, they said.

Demand from India is expected to be 9-10 million tonnes in 2008, unchanged from last year, while Pakistan will take 3.5-4 million tonnes but South African exports are expected to fall from 66 million tonnes in 2007 and could be as low as 60 million tonnes, some industry sources said.

Oman Cement Co last week was seeking up to five cargoes of South African coal and bought one, from traders Glencore, at around $155.00 a tonne delivered-to-plant or about $150.00 a tonne CIF, traders said.

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