Coal

Vale has lifted force majeure at the Carborough Downs metallurgical coal operation in the Bowen basin in Queensland.

August 2012: Culture changes in the work place can lead to tangible changes in productivity and profit if managed correctly.

A year on from the initial announcement, Robin Cohen, Deloitte LLP, UK, outlines the UK Electricity Market Reform and its potential impacts on coal-fired power generation.

Barry Baxter reports on the debate over mine nationalisation in South Africa.

Coal mining in the UK has received a boost after planning permission was granted for the extraction of coal in Northumberland. Mining operations are now expected to begin next year.

July 2012: when mining companies make acquisitions, the focus is on the plant and equipment and this means the attendant workforce can be neglected.

Solid Energy has completed its purchase of the assets of Pike River Coal Ltd with the final US$ 5 million tranche of the US$ 7.5 million purchase price now paid.

TROLEXPERT is a new information source for the coal and mining industry from Trolex Ltd and Energy Global. Each month will provide answers to topical questions and challenges facing the industry. This month, TROLEXPERT asks: what is the importance of methane concentration when looking to extract and exploit methane technology projects?

South Africa’s potential as one of the great producers and exporters of coal is being constantly hampered by a thorny combination of policy decisions, poor infrastructure and global economic conditions. Barry Baxter reports.

Kevin S. Crutchfield, CEO of Alpha Natural Resources, US, offers his view of the future and importance of coal in the US.

Recently published data shows that power generation from natural gas-fired plants is virtually equal to generation from coal-fired plants, with each fuel providing 32% of total generation.

June 2012: In order to successfully drive through change initiatives, companies need to focus on breaking down potential barriers to change.

Rio Tinto has started exporting hard coking coal from its Benga Mine in the Moatize Basin in Mozambique. The first shipment of 34 000 t left the Port of Beira on 25th June, bound for an Indian steel mill.

Arch Coal has announced plans to idle several operations and to reduce production at other mining complexes in Appalachia due to the unprecedented downturn in demand for coal-fired power.

According to a recent report by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), 76% of US coal exports in 2011 went to Europe and Asia.