BHP is clearing the way for more Queensland coking coal divestments by working with the state government on legislative changes that would make it easier to sell mines owned under its long-standing joint venture with Japanese giant Mitsubishi.

BHP has in recent months encouraged the Queensland government to amend the 54-year-old legislation governing the eight mines within its BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA), which is widely considered to produce the world’s best coking coal for steel-making.