Coal

Following the suspension of Panian mine operations due to a fatal accident at the mine, Semirara Mining and Power Corp. halts coal exports.

China’s largest coal miner saw its coal sales drop by almost a quarter in the first half of this year as the country’s coal demand dropped.

Swedish utility, Vattenfall, has written down its European coal business by SEK19 billion (US$2.2 billion) on low prices and higher business risks.

Given the current ultralow share prices of US coal companies, the time may be ripe for industry consolidation.

Vietnamese coal mining company, Deo Nai Coal Co., produced 1.2 million t of coal in the first six months of 2015.

Alliant Energy subsidiary Interstate Light and Power has reached a settlement over Clean Air Act violations at seven of its coal-fired power plants.

Number two US coal miners, Arch Coal, is to implement a one-for-ten reverse stock split in a bid to boost its share price and remain listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Politicians from both main political parties have criticised the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement’s proposed Steam Protection Rule.

The United Mine Workers of American Pension Plan is suing Peabody Energy and Arch Coal to try to force the two companies to take on US$800 million of bankrupt Patriot Coal’s liabilities.

Coal production in the US rose sharply for the week ending 11 July. Meanwhile the decline from last year continues to expand, according to the latest report from the Energy Information Agency.

Senators Manchin and Hoeven have introduced legislation in the US Senate to transfer responsibility for coal ash regulation to the states.

Two Chinese companies have begun construction of a 1.2 GW power plant in Vietnam.

A round-up of some of this week’s key news items from the international coal industry, from coal production and development to the latest coal mine developments.

The United Mine Workers of America union has responded to the announcement that Walter Energy has filed for bankruptcy protection

Cloud Peak Energy announces its 2Q15 shipments, updated annual adjusted EBITDA Guidance and schedule for earnings results.