Critical metals explorer Leeuwin Metals (ASX:LM1) has proposed a maiden diamond drilling program to begin this quarter within the W56 target area at the William Lake Nickel Project in Manitoba, Canada.

Shanxi's raw coal output accounted for about 29 percent of the country's total in the first quarter.

Renewable energy use, low season, curbs on inflows, green drive factors.

From the perspective of policy measures, the immediate task is to boost confidence of market entities rather than implement a strong stimulus.

All these factors will support a surge in steel consumption in the third and fourth quarters of this year, the VSA added.

Thanks to the digitization of the coal industry, miners no longer need to enter the deep mineshafts via walking or riding an outdated small train.

"We expect more cooperation with China in the years to come to facilitate its accelerated energy transition, continued economic development and improvement in living standards."

China's raw coal output posted stable expansion in March, official data showed.