Japanese steelmakers have raised concerns with Australian authorities that BHP Group could become too dominant in the global supply of coking coal if it goes ahead with a takeover of Anglo American.

Australia is the world¡¯s biggest exporter of coking coal and top supplier to Japan, making up around 60% of its imports, with most of the steelmaking ingredient coming from the state of Queensland, where BHP and Anglo American are the two largest producers.

Steelmakers¡¯ concerns about BHP¡¯s coking coal market power could derail a deal if the Australian giant comes back with a revised bid for Anglo American, after being rebuffed with a $39 billion offer last month.