Demand for coal to generate electricity and make steel in China and India is expected to grow by 7-8% annually in the next five years, leaving the world chronically short of the fuel. Moreover, currencies linked to coal have outperformed both their emerging market and G-10 peers.
The figures are daunting. Coal demand in the international market has been waning. International coal prices have been lingering at a low track from March to May, and statistics from China's customs shows that China's import of coal in May reached 9.43 million tonnes surging by 133.1 per cent year-on-year, which is also the highest level ever. But there are rays of hope elsewhere. Western Australia's miners have recorded their fifth consecutive month of growth, and UAE's Coal & Oil Group is planning to invest around $300 million to buy new ships and to acquire coal mines.
After a dark winter for Canadian coal producers, spring supply contract negotiations halfway around the world are providing a glimmer of light at the end of the mine shaft. As news of the pricing agreement filtered through the market last week, Canadian coal stocks have reaped the benefits.
China has discovered a new coal field containing more than 13 billion tonnes of proven coal reserves in the northwestern region of Xinjiang, the China News Service reported on Monday. The 1,400 square-kilometre Sha'erhu coal field, located in the county of Shanshan in eastern Xinjiang
We are into the second half of the second month of 2009 and pressure on coal prices have not eased. While the long-term outlook in this sector remains strong, thanks to strong fundamentals, spot prices continue to be under pressure. The reasons are being cited as high utility coal inventories, lower demand for electricity and competition from natural gas.
Rio Tinto recently gave a big break to JSW Steel Ltd. on an existing contract. The mining major’s move to cut its coking coal prices for the Indian company by 43 percent are a dark sign of things to come for coking coal miners.
There’s no denying the worldwide recession has led to global cutbacks in the demand for most commodities, coal included. Coal producers like Peabody Energy have been forced to curtail production as demand slumps from both the steel industry and the energy sector.
The new president’s inaugural address had the attention of both renewable energy supporters and the coal industry as he addressed topic of climate change. The Obama administration is expected to usher in a new age of greener politics and that has many in the coal industry nervous.
Supply and demand of coal is expected to be a bit more important in 2009, with the almost irrational movement along with crude oil turning out to be less of an influence.
On Tuesday, Indonesia’s parliament passed a much anticipated coal and mining law intended to raise government revenues and provide easier access for foreign investment. However, many feel the regulations outlined in the new law will only deter investment.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
3 Commentz