Coal

Andhra Pradesh's electricity regulator granted in-principle approval on August 6 for distribution companies to procure 1,600 MW of coal-based thermal power via tariff-based competitive bidding under the DBFOO model. This marks the first phase of a long-term program to add up to 5,588 MW of coal capacity by 2035-36 and provide dispatchable power for evening peaks and renewable shortfalls. Bidding documents are expected shortly, with the selected developer to design, build, finance, own and operate the plant. Read →

China's most active coking coal futures contract rose more than 3% to 1,268.50 yuan per tonne on Friday amid strong demand signals. The move extended recent gains in the Dalian contract as steel-sector buying supported prices. The surge highlights tightening near-term supply expectations in the world's largest metallurgical coal market. Read →

India's coal-fired generation reached a record 114.7 TWh in July, up 13% year-on-year and 8.4% above the prior July high, as a weak monsoon cut hydropower by 18% and boosted cooling demand. Utilities met most of the surge with domestic supply, causing thermal coal imports to fall for a seventh straight month to an estimated 11.3 million tonnes. This sustained high burn supports seaborne thermal coal prices by drawing down stocks without spurring import buying. Read →

China's state iron ore buyer CMRG directed some steel mills to stop negotiating with Rio Tinto for September shipments amid annual contract talks. The move escalates pressure on the top iron ore producer to extract better terms for mills and expands CMRG's procurement control. While focused on iron ore, it signals tighter Chinese steel sector buying that can weigh on metallurgical coal demand and seaborne pricing. Read →

Sasol, the world's largest coal-to-liquids producer, benefits from higher fuel prices tied to the Iran conflict while shielding South African supply. CEO Simon Baloyi has ramped up coal-to-liquids output alongside its refinery. The windfall highlights coal's role in energy security but revives policy debates on its long-term future in the energy mix. Read →

India's coal-fired generation rose 13% year-on-year to a July record 114.7 TWh as a weak, uneven monsoon cut hydropower output 18% and boosted cooling demand. Total non-renewable generation rose 7.3% to 143.9 TWh. Domestic supply met most of the extra burn, with thermal coal imports likely falling for a seventh straight month to 11.3 million tonnes. Read →

Mine-mouth thermal coal prices in Ordos, Datong and Yulin rose 2-5 yuan per tonne on August 4 amid tightening supply and firmer summer power demand. Ordos 5,500 kcal/kg NAR coal reached 637 yuan/t ex-mine with VAT. High port stocks and cautious buying cap further upside despite seasonal strength. Read →

Thermal coal futures rose to around $134 per ton, a one-month high, driven by stronger Chinese demand from hotter weather increasing air conditioning and power use in central and eastern regions. Elevated Chinese inventories and safety inspections after a Shanxi accident plus Indonesian supply disruptions from dry weather also supported prices. This tightens the seaborne thermal market amid China’s dominant role in global demand. Read →

Adani produced 3.1 million tonnes of thermal coal at its Australian Carmichael mine in April-June, up 7% year-on-year, with sales rising 17% to 2.7 million tonnes. Full-year FY2025-26 output fell 11% to 11.4 million tonnes from the prior record. The increase adds Australian supply to a market facing softer Indian imports, pressuring seaborne thermal prices despite stronger Newcastle benchmarks. Read →

China's coal-fired power generation totaled 2.5 trillion kWh in January-June, or 49.7% of total output, the first time below 50%. Renewables reached 41.2% with wind and solar capacity at 1.95 billion kW. This marks a milestone in China's green transition even as absolute coal use rises with demand growth. Read →

An explosion at a coal mine complex near Quetta in Balochistan province killed at least 34 miners on Thursday, likely from methane buildup. Dozens were initially missing as rescue operations continued. The incident highlights ongoing safety risks in Pakistan's coal mining sector. Read →

China thermal coal spot prices in Qinhuangdao rebounded to 822 yuan per ton on Monday after a 7% drop earlier in July. Hotter weather across central and eastern China is increasing air-conditioner use and electricity demand. Prices could rise further amid the ongoing heatwave, per the China Coal Transportation and Distribution Association. Read →

Kazakhstan held talks with Chinese investors this week on coal-to-chemical projects for metallurgical coke and synthetic fuels. The discussions build on Kazakhstan's plan for six such projects from 2026-31 and add to foreign investments from Russia, Germany and the US. Kazakhstan expects a 1.3 TWh electricity surplus by end-2027 after adding coal-fired capacity. Read →

Asia seaborne thermal coal imports are projected at 73.16 million tonnes in July, up from June, led by China at 28.14 million tonnes, Japan at 10.46 million and South Korea at 8.54 million as peak summer demand rises and domestic output in China falls 9.7% year-on-year after safety checks. India imports are seen dropping to 10.88 million tonnes, the lowest since August last year, despite record power demand, due to ample domestic stocks and higher prices. The Newcastle 6,000 kcal/kg index hit a four-week high of $132.76/t, supporting seaborne prices while Indian utilities draw on local supplies. Read →

Coal India reported a 0.6% rise in consolidated net profit to 88.52 billion rupees ($923 million) for the first quarter, missing analyst expectations of 99.43 billion rupees. Weaker production volumes and higher costs drove the shortfall for the world's largest coal miner, which accounts for about three-quarters of India's output. The result highlights pressure on domestic supply amid strong power-sector demand. Read →

India imported 12.74 million tonnes of thermal coal in June, down 12% year-on-year and the seventh straight monthly decline. Domestic dispatches to the power sector rose 4.6% to 70.92 million tonnes, meeting most demand as coal-fired generation hit 117.68 TWh. Indonesia supplied 52% of imports while power plants shifted to local coal, cutting seaborne demand. Read →

Coal India reported 88.5 billion rupees profit for the three months to June, up less than 1% year-on-year and above the 86.4 billion rupee estimate. Higher shipments met record electricity demand in India's hottest months despite rising explosives and diesel costs tied to Middle East tensions. The state miner supplies the bulk of India's domestic coal. Read →

Low river levels halted barging on the northern Barito River in central Kalimantan, disrupting supply chains and prompting some miners to declare force majeure. The route feeds major export terminals in south Kalimantan, a region accounting for roughly 30 million tonnes of annual exports. South Kalimantan also faces dry conditions, adding pressure to Indonesia's thermal coal shipments. Read →

Coal India Ltd’s Q1 profit is forecast at 86.4 billion rupees, about 1% below a year earlier. Explosives costs rose 26% and diesel roughly 50% since March due to Middle East conflict disruptions via the Strait of Hormuz. Stronger summer power demand lifted shipments 4% and auction premiums 44%, but higher expenses offset gains and the firm cut output 8% amid elevated inventories. Read →

The Platts Premium Low Vol Hard Coking Coal CFR China index ended Q2 at $263.50/mt after peaking at $265/mt in late June. Ample port stocks and expectations of higher domestic Chinese output eased demand for imported premium hard coking coal. Market participants now watch India for the next demand signal. Read →

Analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg put Coal India Q1 profit at 8,640 crore rupees, roughly 1% below last year. Middle East tensions raised explosives and diesel prices sharply, offsetting gains from 4% higher shipments and record summer power demand. Renewables took a larger generation share, leaving coal inventories elevated. Read →

The IEA said global coal-fired power generation will rise 1.4% in 2026 as the Iran war increases costs of competing fuels. This reverses the agency's February forecast of a declining trajectory through 2030. Higher coal use complicates global emissions-reduction efforts. Read →

Tata Steel called for changes to how Australian producers set metallurgical coal export prices, joining South Korea's POSCO. The move follows similar pressure from Chinese iron-ore buyers on pricing benchmarks. It targets the PLV reference price used for most coking coal transactions. Read →

Anglo American said its steelmaking coal business will post negative underlying earnings for the first half. The update came alongside flat first-half copper output and lower 2026 copper cost guidance. The company is exiting Australian coal assets via a sale to Dhilmar. Read →

Northern port thermal coal prices stalled amid high inventories, with mine-mouth prices slipping on weak demand from traders. Coking coal presented uneven performance due to thin trading and cautious buying, with some grades scarce from safety inspections in Shanxi. This keeps the thermal segment under pressure while metallurgical coal lacks clear direction. Read →

India's thermal power plants held 42.8 million tonnes of coal as of July 12, enough for 14 days at 85% plant load factor. Coal-based plants supplied nearly 70% of electricity from April to June. Daily monitoring by an inter-ministerial committee continues amid rising demand. Read →

Russian metallurgical coal prices increased 21-31% in July on higher metal production and export alternatives. Domestic suppliers raised prices amid increased activity in the steel sector. This strengthens the export competitiveness of Russian coking coal. Read →

India's power ministry reported 42.8 million tonnes of coal stocks at plants as of July 12, sufficient for 14 days at 85% plant load factor. Peak demand hit 270 GW recently due to heat and weak monsoon. Utilities receive adequate daily supplies, with coordination among ministries to prioritize transport. Read →

Global Energy Monitor report shows wind/solar at 20% of China's UHVDC transmission power while coal supplies 42%. Megabase policy plans 315 GW outbound capacity by 2030 needing 27 UHVDC lines. Persistent coal reliance in green power corridors underscores grid constraints for the world's top renewables builder. Read →

KPI Green Energy commissioned 200 MW of a 300 MW solar project for Coal India at GIPCL's Khavda park in Gujarat. Gujarat Energy Development Agency certified the grid-connected PV capacity. The move advances Coal India's solar push as India's largest coal miner diversifies. Read →

Seaborne thermal coal prices firmed this week despite subdued Chinese and Indian import demand. Freight risks from Middle East tensions supported Atlantic benchmarks while Indonesian values softened. South African, Australian, Russian and US-origin coal saw gains amid the mixed picture. Read →

Posco, a major buyer of Australian coking coal, called for industry collaboration on a new export pricing system. Its procurement head said a few transactions distort prices upward. The move adds pressure on Australian resources exporters alongside China’s iron ore pricing push. Read →

China Coal Energy’s controlling shareholder plans to increase its holdings in the company. The move signals confidence in the thermal and metallurgical coal producer amid recent market volatility. It comes as domestic production and import data show mixed supply signals. Read →

China’s northern transfer ports thermal coal market showed weakening upward momentum with rising seller interest and measured buying. High stocks weighed on prices despite summer demand. The shift follows a June production drop of 9.7% YoY and import surge to 42.78 Mt. Read →

Newcastle thermal coal futures climbed 0.85% to $129.85 per tonne on July 16. Muted Indian purchases due to a weak rupee and higher domestic output offset broader energy rebounds. This keeps prices near March lows despite the daily gain. Read →

China's northern port thermal coal prices showed tentative rebound fatigue by week's end. Renewed stock builds and tepid end-user demand countered gains. Import prices stayed flat day-over-day with mixed weekly performance across grades. Read →

CCTD Bohai Rim spot prices for 5500K thermal coal closed at 801 RMB/ton on July 13, up 1 RMB daily, with similar gains in lower grades. Tight upstream supply from rain, safety checks and lower mine utilization at 78.7% combined with port inventory drawdown supports the move ahead of peak summer demand. Read →

Drought-driven low water levels on the Rhine and Danube force barges to cut loads sharply, lifting freight rates for coal, fuels and chemicals moving inland from ports. This logistics squeeze multiplies risks from Middle East tensions and could raise delivered costs for European power and industrial coal users. Read →

Polish lignite mines reported 2024 methane emissions roughly 1,000 times lower than prior independent tests in EU-mandated checks. Experts flag potential under-measurement at open-pit operations, with implications for compliance costs and credibility of emission data in European coal supply. Read →

China produced 381 million tons of coal in June, down 9.7% year-on-year, the largest drop since 2016. The decline followed a late-May mine explosion in Shanxi that killed 82 and triggered broad safety inspections. Reduced domestic supply in the world's top producer adds support to seaborne thermal and met coal prices amid ongoing weak demand. Read →

European API2 futures dropped below $115/t on cooler weather, higher wind output and rising German power prices. Chinese Qinhuangdao 5,500 NAR spot prices fell to $119/t with port stocks at 30 million tons amid typhoons and hydro strength. Australian thermal and HCC met coal also eased on subdued Chinese buying and seasonal steel slowdown. Read →

Railway coal shipments from Russia to China via border crossings totaled 5.8 million tons in January-June, down 29.5% from a year earlier. Weak utility and industrial demand in China plus competition from domestic supply drove the fall. Limited BAM/Trans-Siberian rail capacity and weather disruptions added further constraints on exports. Read →

Senator Panfilo Lacson called for a Senate inquiry into surging Philippine electricity rates and consumer bill shock. Coal generates nearly 60% of the country's power, with Newcastle thermal coal futures up 22% year-to-date in 2026. The move highlights how higher seaborne coal prices are feeding directly into domestic power costs. Read →

A few Chinese thermal coal miners tested small price increases on select grades July 8, but the broader market trended lower. End-use demand remained insufficient to reverse the decline across most grades. The update highlights persistent softness in domestic mine-mouth pricing. Read →

China's import thermal coal market stayed under pressure July 8 as typhoon activity cut power demand in southern and eastern coastal regions. High power plant stockpiles compounded the effect. The combination weighs on seaborne buying interest and pricing. Read →