Xstrata declares force majeure at Australia mines

SYDNEY, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Xstrata Plc (XTA.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), the world's largest exporter of thermal coal, said on Wednesday it has declared force majeure on all immediate shipments from two of its coal mines in Australia due to floods.

A spokesman from Xstrata's coal unit said the force majeure will affect shipments from the Newlands thermal coal mine, which has a production capacity of about 8 million tonnes a year, and from the 4.9 million tonnes a year Collinsville mine, which produces both coking and thermal coal.

(Reporting by Fayen Wong)