It is our intent to keep you and your colleagues abreast of pertinent developments within the coal industry on a frequent basis. 

Accordingly, Coal Forum Headlines is a compilation of daily articles and stories about coal from around the region and the world. Upon reviewing this news stream, if you have suggestions to improve it or make it more useful please let us know.  And lastly, please share this with your colleagues and if they have an interest simply have them visit here to receive future editions directly.

Chris Hamilton: Coal companies care about miners
Charleston Gazette-Mail
West Virginia Coal Association President Chris Hamilton responds to a recent column questioning whether coal supporters protect miners. Hamilton argues that the industry should be judged by individual operators’ conduct, its safety performance and its willingness to improve.

West Virginia metallurgical-coal producer targets 80,000 tons per month
Streetwise Reports
A producer controlling nearly 24,000 acres in central West Virginia is targeting monthly output of 80,000 tons at its Lanes Branch operation. The company’s holdings also include the past-producing Meadow River mid-volatility metallurgical-coal mine.

West Virginia power-plant rules head to public hearing
West Virginia Explorer
Proposed West Virginia power-plant rules are moving to a public hearing. The underlying state law limits requirements that could adversely affect coal miners and coal-producing communities, placing the proceeding at the intersection of generation policy and industry employment.

MSHA overhauls alternative case-resolution procedures
Mine Safety and Health Administration
MSHA has announced an overhaul of its alternative case-resolution procedures intended to streamline enforcement actions and help regulated operators comply with federal safety and health requirements. The changes affect how eligible disputes move through the agency’s enforcement system.

Miner fatality prompts machinery-maintenance safety alert
Occupational Health & Safety
MSHA has issued a safety alert after a miner was killed while performing machinery maintenance. The notice highlights procedures for securing equipment, controlling hazardous energy and preventing unexpected movement during repair work.

Justice Department asks appeals court to pause coal-mining review ruling
Bloomberg Law
The Justice Department is asking a federal appeals court to pause a lower-court ruling that found regulators’ oversight of coal-mining activity did not lawfully protect endangered species. The case concerns the scope of federal surface-mining review and environmental consultation.

Indian steel prices expected to rise on coking-coal costs and stronger demand
Reuters
Indian steel prices are expected to climb further as coking-coal costs rise and post-monsoon demand strengthens. Higher raw-material expenses are adding pressure after hot-rolled coil prices reached a four-year high.

Five applicants seek support under India’s coal-gasification program
Mint
Adani, NTPC and Talcher Fertilizers are among five applicants seeking support through India’s large coal-gasification incentive program. The capital-intensive projects are intended to convert domestic coal into gas and downstream industrial products.