Mining

Barry Baxter reports on fears that South African mine violence will spread.

BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance will close the Gregory opencast coal mine as low coal prices continue to hurt the industry.

US coal miner, Patriot Coal, which filed for bankruptcy in July, has announced further temporary reductions to coal production across three West Virginian coal mines.

Demand in Australia and New Zealand for experienced engineers from the UK will remain high in 2013, and for the next five years, despite conflicting reports that the mining and natural resources boom in Australia is slowing down.

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.

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?

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.

Xstrata Coal has resumed operations at its Blakefield South mine, and expects to return to full production by mid-July.

Continental Coal and Forzando Coal Mines enter mine life extension agreement.

Aviva Corp. Ltd is pleased to announce that the Mmamantswe coal prospecting licenses in Botswana have been renewed for a further 2 years.

Alpha Natural Resources has announced the establishment of the Alpha Foundation for the Improvement of Mine Safety and Health Inc. The Alpha Foundation is a non-profit organisation whose mission is to improve mine health and safety through funding projects by qualified academic institutions, not-for-profit entities and individuals associated with those entities.

According to GBI Research, China looks set to dominate the rapidly expanding Asia-Pacific coal mining industry for at least the rest of the current decade.

Continental Coal Limited has announced that through its South African subsidiary Mashala Resources (Pty) Limited, it has entered into agreements that will allow the Company to extend the operating mine life at the Ferreira Coal Mine and its production of high quality thermal coal through the acquisition and development of the adjacent and adjoining Prospecting Right.

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, one of the world’s largest industrial auctioneers, is due to sell more than 1600 industrial equipment items and trucks to the highest bidders in an unreserved public auction held in Moerdijk, The Netherlands on the 19 - 20 April.

BHP Billiton has announced the closure of the Norwich Park metallurgical coal mine, part of its BMA joint venture with Mitsubishi Corp., after a seven week review of the mine’s viability.