Coal

Malabar Resources' Maxwell underground mine in New South Wales entered production with a license until 2046. It will export up to 6.5 million tonnes annually of thermal and metallurgical coal to Southeast Asia. The first new Hunter mine in seven years increases Australian export capacity amid stable regional demand. Read →

Coal India produced 169.6 million tonnes in April-June FY27, down 7.5% from 183.4 million tonnes a year earlier. Supplies to the power sector rose 3.5% overall and 5.9% in June to 51.44 million tonnes amid summer demand. The shift reduces pithead stocks and moves the miner toward a demand-led model. Read →

Coal India delivered 51.44 million tonnes to power plants in June, up 5.9% year-on-year. Q1 supplies to the sector reached 154.75 million tonnes, 1.8% higher than the prior year. Rising electricity demand during peak summer drove the increase for India's dominant coal producer. Read →

Vietnam's trade ministry proposed developing additional coal-fired power on an appropriate scale to strengthen energy security after US-Iran conflict constrained LNG supplies. The country has achieved only 7.3% of its 2030 LNG capacity goal. This supports continued reliance on thermal coal imports and generation. Read →

Thermal coal futures dropped below $130 per ton, returning to levels seen before Middle East tensions as US-Iran peace talks raised hopes for Strait of Hormuz reopening. Newcastle-linked prices traded around $128-129/t recently. The decline reflects easing geopolitical risk premiums in the thermal coal market. Read →

Peabody Energy received US Department of Energy funding to extract rare earth elements and critical minerals from its Powder River Basin coal operations. It is the second US coal miner awarded such support this week. Shares rose briefly on the announcement. Read →

Kazakhstan has started work on a 700MW coal-fired power plant in Kurchatov, Abai region, costing an estimated $1.6 billion. The supercritical plant, due online in 2032, will generate around 5 TWh/year and forms part of a broader plan for 7.8GW of new and upgraded coal capacity. The project supports energy security and industrial growth in Central Asia. Read →

Port Waratah Coal Services shipped 4.98 million tonnes of coal from Newcastle in July, down from 8.7 million tonnes in June and 10.57 million tonnes a year earlier due to heavy early-month rainfall that disrupted deliveries and forced ships off anchorage. Exports have normalized in the past fortnight with drier weather ahead. The drop tightens seaborne thermal and metallurgical coal supply from a key Australian hub amid ongoing Asian demand. Read →

China's domestic thermal coal prices at northern ports continued declining as inventories swelled at ports and power plants with persistently weak demand. Import prices also eased amid the oversupply pressure. The softening weighs on seaborne thermal coal benchmarks including API2 and Newcastle amid China's dominant role in global demand. Read →

India's coal-fired generation rose 14% y/y to 120.20 billion kWh in June, the highest since November 2023, driven by a heatwave, fifth-driest June on record and weak hydropower. Total power output climbed 10.4% as renewables hit a record share but could not meet evening peak demand without more thermal capacity. The surge boosts thermal coal demand in Asia's second-largest consumer. Read →

Central planners view coal as essential for grid stability while scaling renewables, with some provinces extending its use. A major clean-energy base in Inner Mongolia sits beside active coal mines. This policy sustains domestic demand and import needs despite long-term decarbonization goals. Read →

India's steel output is forecast to more than double to 400 Mt by 2035, requiring 15 Mt extra coking coal imports annually, most from Australia which supplies half the seaborne market. Australian miners like BHP face 20-40% royalty rates on high prices that deter new investment, leading to managed decline at existing Queensland mines despite strong margins above $100/t. This tension could tighten future met coal supply as India relies on imports for 85%+ of needs. Read →

Coal India will invest 19 billion rupees ($201 million) in R&D through FY2030, focusing on clean coal tech, net-zero solutions, mine repurposing and rare earth recovery. The state miner has already committed funds to IITs and oversees 19 projects at other institutions. The move supports long-term domestic supply stability in the world's second-largest coal consumer. Read →

Thungela's pre-close update noted thermal coal prices remained robust while demand stayed subdued in the first half of 2026 due to the Middle East conflict effects. Newcastle benchmark averaged $124.79/t YTD and Richards Bay $104.25/t. South African output guidance holds with production slightly below prior period. Read →

China's new five-year energy plan targets half of power from non-fossil sources by 2030 while coal output stays near 2025's record 4.823 billion tons. Production in the first five months of 2026 fell 0.3% year-on-year to 1.98 billion tons, mainly due to heightened safety inspections after the May Shanxi mine disaster that killed 82. The plan reiterates a consumption peak by 2030 without specifics, underscoring Beijing's view of domestic coal as key to energy security amid oil import risks. Read →

A Seoul-based rights group reported Tuesday that North Korea's banned coal and mineral exports have rebounded since March 2024 due to lapsed UN monitoring. Trade relies on forced labor and shipping networks through China and Russia. The rebound violates UN sanctions tied to Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs. Read →

Thermal coal futures fell below $145 per ton, extending declines from near three-year highs after the US-Iran interim peace deal that reopens the Strait of Hormuz. The agreement eases energy prices and reduces incentives for fuel switching from gas to coal in Asia and Europe. Earlier June gains from Indonesia's export curbs are now reversing amid softer demand signals. Read →

The US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit rejected the EPA's petition to vacate 2024 Biden-era PM2.5 soot limits of 9 micrograms per cubic meter for coal plants and factories. The ruling upholds the standards, dealing a setback to Trump administration deregulation efforts despite EPA arguments on costs and authority. Read →

Asia seaborne thermal coal imports are on track for 77.37 million tons in June, up from 68.39 million in May and 22% higher year-over-year per Kpler data. China leads with 27.65 million tons expected, a six-month high and 48% above last June, as domestic output fell 1.7% in May amid safety inspections after a fatal mine accident while thermal power generation rose. Japan and South Korea imports also climbed sharply, driven by energy security needs after LNG prices surged from the Iran conflict, making coal more competitive. Read →

China's new five-year energy plan leaves room for coal consumption growth, prioritizing energy security over climate goals per National Energy Administration head Wang Hongzhi. The strategy helped withstand the supply shock from the Iran war. This signals continued policy support for coal in the world's largest energy market. Read →

Indonesia's energy ministry said on June 26 there is no plan for new export restrictions, focusing instead on enforcing domestic market obligation rules for PLN power plants amid Java blackouts. Temporary holds on some shipments were adjusted and exports are now proceeding normally as domestic supply improves. The move eases seaborne market uncertainty after earlier comments raised 2022-style ban fears. Read →

China's coal-fired power generation is forecast to rise 1.5-2% this year to 5.4 trillion kWh, with power-sector coal use up 3% to 2.7 billion tons. El Nino-driven heat, Iran-related LNG cuts and slower renewable output growth are boosting thermal demand as power needs climb 5%. S&P Global, WoodMac and Kpler project the rebound after 2025's first drop in a decade. Read →

China Coal Energy reported an 8.1% drop in coal sales for January-May 2026 versus the prior year. The decline reflects softer domestic demand despite broader power-sector rebound signals. Lower sales volumes highlight uneven thermal coal consumption across major producers. Read →

Australian Newcastle 6,000 kcal thermal coal hit a four-month high of $109.41 per metric ton in the week to June 20. Converted to energy terms it trades at a 13% discount to spot LNG at $12.18/mmBtu amid Hormuz risk premium on LNG. Japan and South Korea imports show early signs of rising as fuel switching favors coal. Read →

India’s thermal power plant coal stocks reached a record 58.25 million tonnes, covering 25 days of consumption. Thermal coal imports fell 8% year-on-year in FY 2024-25 to 169 million tonnes on record domestic output. The buildup strengthens energy security ahead of monsoon disruptions to mining and transport. Read →

China exported 2.5 million tonnes of coal in the first five months of 2025, up 13% year-on-year. Imports fell sharply as domestic production creates oversupply and prices hit four-year lows. Shipments went mainly to Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and even the Netherlands. Read →

India is on track to import 3.16 million metric tons of coal from Russia in June, the second-highest monthly total on record and 51% above the pre-conflict average. Russia is set to become India's second-largest coal supplier this month, overtaking Australia, with metallurgical coal imports also strong at 2.02 million tons in May. The pivot supports India's steel output growth plans while diversifying away from disrupted Middle East flows. Read →

Thermal coal futures fell below $145 per ton, extending a retreat from near three-year highs after the US-Iran interim peace agreement paved the way for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Lower oil and natural gas prices reduced incentives for fuel switching to coal. Coal traded flat at $144/t on June 19, with the move pressuring API2 and Newcastle benchmarks amid easing geopolitical risk premiums. Read →

A fatal May accident in Shanxi prompted safety shutdowns at 155 mines, reducing domestic coking coal output below pre-accident levels. Traders turned to Canadian and Australian cargoes for June-July delivery as local prices hit 19-month highs before easing 5% this week. The shift supports higher seaborne metallurgical coal demand despite softer steel output. Read →

January-May thermal coal imports fell 12% year-on-year to 65 million tons amid higher Coal India production and 22% growth in renewable generation. Peak power demand hit records from heatwaves, but renewables captured a record 17.9% share in May. Elevated import prices and freight rates from Middle East tensions further curbed seaborne purchases. Read →

Danantara Sumberdaya Indonesia confirmed it will not assume existing coal export contracts or buyer relationships during the transition through December. Exporters must report volumes to DSI for oversight, with the unit acting as intermediary rather than trader to address under-invoicing concerns. The clarification reduces near-term disruption risks for Indonesia's thermal coal shipments. Read →

Thermal coal futures fell below $145 per ton on June 17, extending their retreat from near three-year highs after the US and Iran signed an interim peace agreement that paves the way for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The deal pushed energy prices lower and reduced incentives for Asian and European importers to switch from natural gas to coal. Prices had earlier surged to multi-year highs after Indonesia tightened export controls. Read →

Indonesia shipped 37.33 million tonnes of coal in April, down 3.5% year-on-year for the fourth straight month, with shipments to China falling 4.3% to 11.38 million tonnes. Chinese thermal coal imports from Indonesia dropped 22% YoY. Cumulative January-April exports reached 151.1 million tonnes, down 6.9% from a year earlier, as weaker demand from top importers China and India weighed on the world's largest exporter. Read →

Chinese coking coal futures in Dalian climbed as much as 1.9% to 1,486.5 yuan per ton, the highest since October 2024, as safety inspections continued after a deadly mining accident in Shanxi province. Prices rose around 14% so far in the month amid ongoing supply concerns from halted operations. The moves reflect persistent tightness in metallurgical coal supply despite broader thermal market softness. Read →

A fatal explosion at a Shanxi coal mine last month triggered widespread safety inspections that have curtailed Chinese output. Indonesia's move to route all exports through a new state firm has added uncertainty, with production already down 7% year-on-year in the first four months. These supply constraints coincide with LNG disruptions from the Iran conflict, pushing the Newcastle thermal coal benchmark near two-year highs above $150 per metric ton and raising near-term price upside risk. Read →

Peabody Energy locked out workers at its United Wambo coal washery in New South Wales for two weeks over a wage dispute. The action follows protected industrial action by the Mining and Energy Union since early May after workers rejected a 2.5% annual pay rise offer. The disruption affects coal handling and preparation at an Australian export-oriented operation. Read →

Exxon Mobil reached a preliminary agreement to supply LNG to South Africa for use at a planned power plant near Richards Bay. The deal supports Eskom's efforts to diversify from its heavy coal-fired generation base amid ongoing grid challenges. It signals gradual policy-driven substitution away from thermal coal in one of Africa's largest coal-dependent power systems. Read →

China's fossil-fuelled power generation, mostly coal, rose 2.1% in May from a year earlier and 3.4% over the first five months. Lower wind speeds limited renewables, forcing higher thermal output to meet demand. Total power generation reached 784.3 billion kWh in May, up 4.2% year-on-year. Read →

Shanxi safety inspections after the May accident tightened premium low-volatile coking coal supply, pushing McCloskey's MCC4 assessment up $18.15/t to $261.15/t CFR China. Chinese buyers turned to seaborne cargoes, with PLV CFR China near $264/t. Domestic Shanxi prices rose while futures swung sharply. Read →

Indonesia's new export rules requiring shipments through a state entity have delayed cargoes from the world's top thermal coal exporter. Newcastle futures rose 2.4% to $152.25/t, the highest in over two years, as summer heat boosts power demand in northeast Asia. The supply squeeze supports seaborne prices for API2 and Newcastle benchmarks. Read →

Inner Mongolia, China's top coal-producing region, plans the country's largest coal-to-oil, gas and chemicals base. Officials cited the Iran conflict and need to cut import reliance as drivers. The move boosts domestic coal demand and reinforces thermal coal's role in energy security. Read →

Mongolia set a goal to increase trade with China by over 10% this year, with coal and minerals as key exports. A deadly Shanxi mine disaster has tightened Chinese domestic supply, raising prospects for more Mongolian shipments. This supports export volumes and regional thermal coal flows to China. Read →