Although rail haulage showed an 8% decrease from the previous year entirely due to the recession (manganese exports had been affected in particular), the average transport distances had increased by 2%, showing growth in long- distance freight haul. Despite volumes dropping there was a 6% increase in rail containers, paving the way for future road-to-rail movement. Coal transport by rail would also increase. Magnetite, a by-product of other mining products, had previously simply been stockpiled, but now due to market demand it is being transported to the coast for shipping, showing a 34% growth in exports.