Several companies have recently started looking for coal in the Central Queensland region, and in fact have exploration ground covering tens of thousands of kilometres.
Jacquie Mackay of ABC Brisbane looks at where these companies come from and how difficult it is to emerge as a serious contender in the coal market.
Brendan Donnelly, a lecturer in Mining Engineering at CQUniversity also speaks about how coal companies get their start.
To listen to or download the full audio file of the program, click here.
Source: 612 ABC Brisbane