Coal makes a comeback in Illinois Basin in US

Two years ago, Peabody Energy opened a new coal mine in Sullivan County, Indiana. The mine, called Bear Run, is now the largest surface mine in the eastern US and a symbol of the revival of one of America's historical coal fields. As coal mining...

Patriot lowers 2012 guidance as US coal market dulls further

As the chill in US coal markets continued, Patriot Coal on Tuesday unveiled a $75-million, or $0.82-a-share, first-quarter loss, compared with the $15.9-million it lost in the first three months of 2011. St. Louis, Missouri-based Patriot recorded...

First Point serves arbitration notice on Cliffs

TSX-V-listed First Point Minerals over the weekend announced it had served a notice of arbitration on Cliffs Natural Resources Exploration Canada over Cliffs' alleged refusal to provide information about the Decar nickel/iron alloy project in...

Mild winter singes another US coal mine

A warmer-than-usual winter and cheap natural gas prices have conspired to claim the scalp of yet another US coal operation, this time at one of Consol Energy’s West Virginia mines. The company said on Tuesday it will idle its Northern West...

Riding out commodity uncertainty, producers limit output, close plants

While mining firms enjoyed massive profits last year as commodity and metals prices remained elevated in the first half of 2011, the US debt downgrade in August and the eurozone’s wobbles have brought about fresh fears.

Wilting demand closes three Patriot coal mines in US

Softening demand for coal used to make steel has prompted St. Louis-based Patriot Coal to halt production at three of its operations in the Rocklick complex in West Virginia, the company said on Friday. The company has become the latest in a...

Methane-reduction technology to be applied at coal operation

Bituminous coal and natural gas company Consol Energy has joined with natural resources firm Verdeo Group, to develop the first project aimed at reducing ventilation air methane (VAM) emissions at an active West Virginia coal mine.

Consol sells shale royalty for $193m

Consol Energy, the US coal and gas producer, on Monday said it agreed to sell its royalty interest in the Marcellus share operation to Antero for $193-million. The 7% royalty was not a part of the joint venture the company entered into with Noble...

Walter Energy on track to lift metcoal output 50% by 2013

Walter Energy, which bought Canada’s Western Coal in April, is on track to lift coal production by 50% by the end of 2013, interim CEO Joe Leonard said on Thursday. The target is to reach 16-million tons of metallurgical coal sales a year and...

Consol earnings rise

US coal and gas producer Consol Energy increased adjusted net income 69% year-on-year, to $174-million, thanks to higher revenue and sales in its coal division. Consol Energy mines coal in Utah, Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia and...

Consol raises outlook, shares gain

Shares in US coal and gas producer Consol Energy rose more than four percent on Thursday, after the company raised its 2011 coal production guidance based on a strong start to the year. Consol produced 15.4-million tons of coal in the second...

Miner killed at former Massey mine – Alpha Natural

A miner died on Monday evening at Alpha Natural Resources Voyager #7 coal mine, near Inez, Kentucky. There were no eyewitnesses to the accident, but an initial review indicates that the 26-year-old man was killed while travelling beneath an...