The U.S. Interior Department has said it will try to overturn a Bush administration rule that made it easier for coal mining companies to dump mountaintop debris into valley streams. The action is the latest blow to the coal industry, which defends mountaintop mining as a safer, cheaper alternative to traditional underground mining.
Coal stocks have been hit hard in this recession, given slumping electricity demand in the U.S. and the sharp drop-off of steel demand. For shareholders of Patriot Coal Corp (PCX: NYSE), the pain has been particularly acute. The stock lost 96 per cent of its value since last June's record highs. This year alone, Patriot's stock is down 41 per cent versus a 1 per cent decline by the Dow Jones U.S. Coal Index.
State Administration of Work Safety has announced to shut down 1000 small coal mines this year to further eliminate obsolete capacity.
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Xstrata Ltd said on Wedenesday mining and transport operations were being disrupted by heavy rains in Australia’s Queensland state.
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Delays in implementation of projects may now cost steel and power companies their captive coal mines.
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International Coal Ventures (ICVL), the special purpose vehicle (SPV) formed by five large public sector units for scouting coal properties abroad, is set to make its first major acquisition in Australia.
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Along with most in the commodity sector, the coal industry will likely take a hit in 2009, but many analysts are confident that coal demand along with prices will rebound in 2010. As energy demand from developing countries like China and India recovers, we’ll once again see upward movement in the coal price.
Coal is the best commodity to get into right now. The recent global economic downturn has led to a slump in coal demand and production cuts, however serious investors are not shying away from what they see as a most opportune time.
Corporate biggies like Rio Tinto, ArcelorMittal, Reliance, Sterlite, Essar and JSW Steel have evinced interest in reviving 18 abandoned mines of Coal India.
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CIL is all set to finalize the deals to develop 7 underground and 19 abandoned mines in next 6 month’s time.
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Monday, April 27, 2009
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