The Teck coal unit was fined close to C$221,000 for nearly 30 cases of environmental breaches in southeastern BC.

The thermal coal producer bought Ensham mine in Australia last year to diversify from South Africa.

Any potential merger or collaboration would mean a game-changer for the sector.

Whitehaven had announced plans in October to buy out BHP's Blackwater and Daunia mines in a $4.1 billion deal.

The company is close to securing a deal to buy manganese or copper assets and could announce an acquisition this year.

Taxes on sulfur, coal and ferroalloys, along with ores and concentrates of copper and iron, are among those that are expected to yield the most revenue.

The robust imports are despite lukewarm overall demand for coal.

India imports about 85% of its annual coking coal consumption.