Coal miners Whitehaven Coal WHC.AX and New Hope Corporation NHC.AX firmed 6.5% and 5.7% respectively, while sector major Woodside Energy WDS.AX climbed 4.3%. By Himanshi Akhand Sept 5 (Reuters) - Australian shares closed higher on Monday as the resource-heavy bourse was buoyed by stronger oil and metal prices, while investors also awaited the central bank's rate decision amid growing inflationary pressures. Smoling anticipates the rally in the resources sector to continue in the near term, based on strong commodity prices and the ability of companies like BHP Group and Rio Tinto to maintain healthy margins and pay dividends.