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.

Frontieras plans approximately $850 million coal-to-fuels plant in Mason County
Markets Insider
Frontieras North America is advancing plans for an approximately $850 million facility in Mason County, West Virginia. The proposed plant would use the company’s FASForm technology to convert about 7,500 tons of coal per day into products including diesel, naphtha, jet fuel, hydrogen, fertilizer and sulfuric acid.

West Virginia utilities defend coal-plant plans amid proposed public-interest reforms
Charleston Gazette-Mail
West Virginia power providers are pushing back on proposed public-interest reforms while continuing work intended to extend the lives of the state’s coal-fired plants. The debate centers on reliability, plant investment and the effect of utility decisions on customer bills.

MSHA will require professionalism training for inspectors and specialists
Mine Safety and Health Administration
The Mine Safety and Health Administration says its inspectors and specialists will be required to complete new professionalism training. The initiative is intended to strengthen consistency, conduct and communication during mine inspections and other enforcement work.

Study finds potentially valuable rare-earth resources in U.S. coal ash
ScienceDaily
New research suggests that coal-ash deposits across the United States may contain billions of dollars in recoverable rare-earth elements. The findings add to efforts to turn legacy combustion material into a domestic source of minerals used in advanced manufacturing and energy technologies.

S&P Global reports U.S. coal production trending lower year over year
S&P Global Market Intelligence
U.S. coal production is running below year-earlier levels as lower natural-gas prices favor gas-fired generation during peak summer demand. The analysis examines the resulting pressure on thermal-coal output and domestic market conditions.

Alabama community will mark 25 years since Brookwood mine explosion
The Tuscaloosa News
Tuscaloosa County will hold a public memorial service for the 13 miners killed in the 2001 explosion at the Jim Walter Resources No. 5 mine. This year’s observance marks the 25th anniversary of the Brookwood disaster.

China urges stable coal production as prices reach a three-year high
Bloomberg
China has urged coal producers to maintain stable output and supply after spot prices for power-station fuel climbed to their highest level in three years. The directive underscores policymakers’ focus on availability and price stability ahead of seasonal demand.

Wenergy wins major order for Guoneng Zhundong coal-to-gas project
ChemNet
Wenergy has secured an order connected to the Guoneng Zhundong coal-to-gas project in China. The award represents further progress for a large conversion project designed to produce gas from domestic coal resources.

India launches 16th commercial coal auction with 25 blocks
Big News Network
India has launched its 16th round of commercial coal-mine auctions with 25 blocks on offer. Six fully explored mines are projected to generate approximately 19.84 billion rupees in annual revenue once developed.

Coal India outlines diversified growth portfolio beyond mining
The Economic Times
Coal India has announced a business-development portfolio spanning coal gasification and coal-to-chemicals, thermal power, renewable energy and other adjacent businesses. The company says the platforms are intended to diversify growth while building on its core mining operations.

Yara opens Europe’s largest industrial carbon-capture facility
Chemical & Engineering News
Yara has opened what it describes as Europe’s largest industrial carbon-capture facility. The project is designed to capture and permanently store carbon dioxide from industrial operations, adding significant new capacity to Europe’s developing CCS network.