Ninemsn.com.au, citing industry estimates, reported that a week long strike by workers at some of the biggest coal mines in Queensland has cost a massive AUD 120 million.

Industry sources say the strike by more than 3,000 miners cost AUD 114 million in lost production, AUD 9.8 million in royalties and AUD6.5 million in wages.

The strike, which ended on Thursday, had halted production at six Bowen Basin mines, run by the BHP Mitsubishi Alliance.

BHP Billiton declined to comment on the cost of the strike, saying it details significant production impacts in its quarterly production report.

Source - ninemsn.com.au

(www.coalguru.com)