Coal market 'difficult': New Hope Soul Pattinson's resource arm New Hope Corp has cut coal output further at its West Moreton operations in Queensland citing the downturn in the coal market. Output has now been reduced to 0.7 million tonnes annually from 1.1 million tonnes after it moved to a five day a week operation from six days at the Jeebropilly mine. This comes on top of the earlier shutdown of mining at the Oakleigh colliery. Production levels at the larger Acland mine continue at 4.8 million tonnes annually it said. The company described present conditions in the coal market as "difficult." Raw coal production in the three months to the end of April fell 20 per cent to 2.5 million tonnes with production of saleable coal down 24 per cent. Actual coal sales, however, declined just 2 per cent to 1.57 million tonnes with the transport delays on the back of bad weather made up during the quarter, it said. Output in the quarter was also cut to help bring coal stockpiles back into line following the rail disruptions, it said.