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Coking Coal

Coking coal is a high-grade variety of coal used primarily in the production of steel through the blast furnace process. Also known as metallurgical coal, it differs from thermal coal in its ability to be transformed into coke, a porous, carbon-rich material that serves as both a fuel and a reducing agent in iron-ore smelting. When heated in the absence of air in coke ovens, coking coal softens, swells and re-solidifies into coke, which provides the high temperatures and chemical reactions necessary to convert iron ore into molten iron. The quality of coking coal is determined by its carbon content, volatile matter, ash levels and coking properties, with premium hard coking coal commanding the highest prices. Major producers include Australia, the United States, Canada, Russia and Mongolia, with seaborne trade dominated by Australian and North American exports to steel mills in Asia, particularly China, Japan, South Korea and India. Coking coal remains essential to traditional steelmaking, though its long-term demand faces uncertainty as the industry explores lower-carbon production methods such as direct reduced iron using hydrogen or natural gas. Prices are volatile, driven by supply disruptions, steel demand cycles and infrastructure constraints at mines and ports. The sector is capital-intensive, with large-scale operations typically controlled by diversified mining groups and dedicated metallurgical coal producers.

Coking Coal News


Steel coils
India targets 600-million tons steel capacity by 2047, secretary says
29th September 2026 By: Reuters

India's new steel policy plans 600-million metric tons of steelmaking capacity by 2047 and is a roadmap for the next two decades, the country's steel secretary said on Tuesday, adding that it will... 


Coal mine
China’s coking coal supply squeeze seen lingering into 2027
23rd September 2026 By: Bloomberg

China’s coking coal squeeze is set to persist into next year, supporting strong import demand even as efforts to revive domestic output start to cool prices. The supply shock triggered by the... 


Coal
Australian coking coal miner gets private loan from RRJ Capital
21st September 2026 By: Bloomberg

Australian coking coal miner Tahmoor Coal has secured a $140-million private-credit loan from RRJ Capital to restart its operations. The five-year senior secured facility has been signed but not... 


Fortescue iron-ore mine
Iron-ore firms on China pre-holiday restocking, demand uncertainty caps gains
17th September 2026 By: Reuters

Iron-ore prices rose for a second session on Thursday, as Chinese steelmakers stepped up seaborne purchases ahead of a national holiday, although shrinking steel mill margins clouded the demand... 


Metallurgical coal pile
India's met coke imports set for record despite anti-dumping levy
15th September 2026 By: Reuters

India's met coke imports are set to reach a record high this year despite an anti-dumping levy imposed in July, as domestic shortages and strong demand from pig iron producers fuel higher overseas... 


Steel smelting
Indian steel prices set to rise further on coking coal costs, demand revival
8th September 2026 By: Reuters

Indian steel prices are expected to rise further in the coming weeks as a post-monsoon pickup in infrastructure and automotive demand tightens the market while higher coking coal costs lift... 


Location map of the Makhado coal project
Makhado steelmaking hard coking coal project, South Africa – update
4th September 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

On August 13, 2026, MC Mining entered into a loan agreement and a share subscription agreement with its controlling shareholder, Kinetic Development Group, for up to $16-million in further capital... 


Iron-ore rock
India’s iron-ore choices could shape steel demand, decarbonisation, IEEFA warns
28th August 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

US-based think tank Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) outlines in its latest report 'India's looming iron-ore challenge' how the country may not have enough access to... 


Steel mill
Indian steel mills face margin squeeze as global coking coal prices rise
19th August 2026 By: Reuters

Indian steel mills are facing mounting pressure on margins as higher coking coal prices, driven by supply disruptions in Australia and China and the Iran war, raise steelmaking costs, executives... 


MC Mining secures $16m of further capital support from KDG
MC Mining secures $16m of further capital support from KDG
13th August 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Australia- and Johannesburg-listed MC Mining has entered into a loan agreement and a share subscription agreement with its controlling shareholder, Kinetic Development Group (KDG), pursuant to... 


Coal mine
SGX to use Dow Jones coking coal index for new contract
13th August 2026 By: Reuters

Dow Jones said on Thursday that it has reached an agreement with the Singapore Exchange that would allow the bourse to reference its coking coal index for a new derivative contract. Dow Jones'... 


Iron-ore rock
India's iron-ore approach for ambitious steelmaking strategy can shape global demand, decarbonisation, IEEFA warns
12th August 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

US-based think tank Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) outlines in its latest report 'India's looming iron-ore challenge' how the country may not have enough access to... 


Location map of the Makhado
Makhado steelmaking hard coking coal project, South Africa – update
7th August 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

MC Mining has reported that several operational-readiness milestones were achieved during the quarter ended June 30, 2026, while the project recorded no lost-time injuries. 


The Makhado mine
He resigns as MC Mining MD and CEO following recapitalisation, Makhado progress
28th July 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Australia- and Johannesburg-listed MC Mining has appointed chairperson Jianheng (Albert) Deng as interim MD and CEO, with effect from July 29, following the resignation of Yi (Christine) He as MD... 


Coal pile
China's June coal imports jump 29% after mine accident
14th July 2026 By: Reuters

China imported 42.78-million tons of coal in June, customs data showed on Tuesday, up 29% from a year earlier as a mine accident in late May tightened domestic supply and led to higher imports.... 


McArthur coal mine
Coking coal miners caught between India's surging demand and Australia's taxes
8th July 2026 By: Reuters

Miners of coking coal in top exporter Australia face the dilemma of balancing expectations of strong demand growth from top buyer India against a royalty tax system they view as rapacious and... 


Kolomela iron-ore mine in South Africa
Iron-ore heads for seventh weekly loss on swelling inventory, falling steel demand
26th June 2026 By: Reuters

Iron-ore prices fell on Friday and were headed for a seventh straight weekly loss, weighed down by swelling portside inventory and faltering steel consumption in top consumer China, as well as... 


Rio Tinto's Gudai Darri iron-ore mine
Iron-ore nears four-month low on prospects of rising supply, tepid demand
23rd June 2026 By: Reuters

Iron-ore prices extended declines on Tuesday to hit a nearly four-month low, weighed down by prospects of rising shipments from major suppliers in the run-up to the end of the second quarter and... 


Mine truck on coal heap
China coking coal prices extend loss on prospects of rising supply
22nd June 2026 By: Reuters

China's coking coal futures prices extended their decline on Monday, weighed down by prospects of rising supply amid continued production resumption after a deadly mine accident in coal-rich Shanxi... 


Pembroke coal exports
China's coking coal imports set to rise as Shanxi mine disaster hits supply, traders say
19th June 2026 By: Reuters

China's imports of coking coal, a steelmaking ingredient, are set to rise further this year after a fatal mine accident reduced domestic supply, traders said. Chinese importers have turned to... 


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pqt: 0.09s - ct: 0.143s - 275pq - 2rq
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