Special reports

Taiwan imported about 52 million t of thermal coal in 2014 with volumes expected to grow 2.5% per year on average to 2019.

With prices remaining low and mines up for sale around the world, Stephen Duck, CRU, looks for the M&A opportunities in the metallurgical coal market.

The coal mining industry is a significant user of water, making proactive water management a vital part of mine planning.

With its economy in a funk and political interference an increasing problem, South Africa continues to be a challenging and unpredictable place for mining companies to do business.

News headlines have been dominated by stories of financial companies, sovereign wealth funds and other institutions divesting their holdings in the coal industry. But such moves will not bring an end to global coal use.

Power sector reforms are a top priority for India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his government likely to focus on reforming the power distribution segment and boosting the country’s energy independence.

Despite a new tax on coal imports and emissions trading market, South Korea’s coal outlook remains promising.

Following its post-Fukushima nuclear shutdown, Japan boosted its use of coal, seeing imports reach 211 million to in 2013. But demand is now falling amid speculation that some nuclear plants may be allowed back online.

The Indian government wants to reduce the volume of coal imports by boosting its domestic production. Here are three reasons that why that won’t be happening anytime soon.

Integrating renewable energy into a mine’s energy mix can boost not only the bottom line but also its appeal with investors.

Despite having the second largest global reserves of coal, Russia’s coal industry failed to capitalise on the export boom that drove growth in Australia and Indonesia. But with the country’s strategic pivot east, that could be about the change.

South Africa has a large energy-intensive coal industry, which is used to meet the country’s energy needs.

After a tumultuous few year, metallurgical coal producers are facing another tough year in 2015.

Despite remaining a significant source of investment, output and employment within the wider US mining sector, the coal industry has entered a period of long-term decline.

The current mining industry is not providing the structures and support to develop the skills pool required to maintain the industry in the long term.