This report examines the potential economic harm that major expansion and construction of new coal mines can cause, including:

• Lower coal prices associated increased supply and associated reductions in royalty and corporate tax payments
• Decline in the terms of trade
• Job losses in existing coal mines and regions
• Bankruptcies of coal companies and the inability to meet obligations to remediate disused mine sites.

The report focusses on scrutiny of the macroeconomic policy which is driving down coal prices and delivering poor financial outcomes for governments and communities.