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.

Fourth Circuit requires West Virginia coal company to pay black-lung benefits
Bloomberg Law
A West Virginia coal operator lost its federal appeals-court challenge to an administrative ruling awarding black-lung disability benefits. The Fourth Circuit decision leaves the company responsible for the miner’s claim.

Ramaco changes legal leadership amid rare-earth development project
Law.com
Metallurgical-coal producer Ramaco Resources has promoted former congressman and West Virginia Supreme Court justice Evan Jenkins as it advances a major rare-earth elements project. The move reflects the company’s expanding focus beyond traditional coal markets.

MSHA deregulatory proposals could reshape surface-mine compliance
Ogletree Deakins
A package of MSHA proposals would revise or remove requirements across eighteen mine-safety standards. The changes could affect examinations, records, equipment and other compliance obligations at surface mining operations.

Navajo Nation considers coal-mine expansion with community impacts at issue
NPR
The Navajo Nation is considering an expansion of a coal mine that supporters view as an economic opportunity. The proposal could require some families to relocate, adding community and land-use questions to the project review.

Michigan attorney general renews challenge to forced coal-plant operation
Michigan Public
Michigan’s attorney general plans another rehearing request challenging the U.S. Department of Energy order keeping the J.H. Campbell coal plant online. The dispute continues over federal reliability authority and the costs imposed on customers.

Judge declines to pause coal-mining wildlife review ruling
Bloomberg Law
A federal judge declined to stay a ruling that found regulators did not lawfully protect endangered species from coal-mining activity. The decision keeps pressure on the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement to address the review process.

Study outlines emissions-reduction pathway for Sasol’s Secunda coal complex
Bizcommunity
Researchers examining Sasol’s Secunda coal-to-liquids complex say substantial emissions reductions may be possible without a disorderly shutdown. The analysis evaluates alternative transition pathways for one of South Africa’s most important industrial facilities.