Headline news... BHP Billiton agrees short-term met coal contracts
Leading miner BHP Billiton Ltd has announced that it has agreed to sell coking coal on short-term contracts to customers in Europe, China, India and Japan, breaking away from annual pricing. MoreEssar buys US coal producer
Mumbai-headquartered Essar Group has confirmed its US$600M purchase of West Virginia-based Trinity Coal Corporation from Denham Capital. MoreQRC disputes coal subsidy claims
The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has called on the State Parliament to scrutinise claims made by Queensland Premier Anna Bligh and a senior Cabinet Minister that taxpayers have been subsidising the Queensland coal industry 'over decades.' MoreThyssenKrupp MinEnergy inks 10-year deal with Polish coke plant
ThyssenKrupp MinEnergy GmbH, part of the ThyssenKrupp Group's Materials Services business area and a leading supplier of solid fuels, plans to concentrate its foundry coke business activities increasingly in Europe in the future. MoreOz expansions continue
Heavy demand from Chinese buyers has stoked Australian producers' determination to resume their expansionary drive as soon as possible. MoreNexans commissions SFCL for Vattenfall
Nexans, a worldwide leader in the cable industry, has commissioned the world's first Superconducting Fault Current Limiter (SFCL) that is installed in a power plant. MoreIndia's JSW Steel looks abroad
JSW Steel, India's third-largest producer, is considering spending US$500M buying foreign coal mines to secure supplies for expansion at home. MoreArcelorMittal ready to privatise Ukrainian mines
As Ukraine's cabinet announces large-scale reforming of the domestic coal sector, Arcelor-Mittal Kryvyi Rih (AMKR), Ukraine's largest rolled steel producer, has declared its readiness to take part in the privatisation of Ukrainian coal mines. MoreTIS handles "largest vessel ever" in the Ukraine
At the end of October, the TIS coal terminal in the Port of Yuzhniy handled what TIS (Russian-backed TransInvestService) claims is the biggest ship ever to berth in a Ukrainian port. KASSOS WARRIOR, which docked at berth No. 20, has an loa of 299.6m, a beam of 47m, a maximum draft of 18m, and a deadweight of 195 000t. MorePort of Visotskiy buys two more B&W Lancaster loaders
Following years of successful operation of two Lancaster loaders at the Russian Port of Visotskiy, the customer has recently installed and commissioned two more units from UK manufacturer B&W Mechanical Handling Limited, part of the Aumund Group. MoreIndia provides boost for SA coal exports
While South African coal exports to established markets in Europe have been badly affected by the global economic downturn, Indian customers have been keen to buy up the surplus. MoreMajor order win for Sandvik Mining and Construction
Sandvik Mining and Construction has signed an agreement with the energy company RWE Power AG in the Netherlands for a turnkey materials-handling system. MoreAll go for PWCS
Much like its Queensland counterpart at Dalrymple Bay, Newcastle's Port Waratah Coal Services has completed its latest expansion phase - only to see the queue of waiting bulkers blow out again. MoreSINOPEC ops continue, thanks to LASE technology
China's largest oil company SINOPEC has renewed operations at its refinery in Wuhan after awarding a contract in March to industrial laser technology company LASE GmbH to provide a heap volume measurement for the refinery. MoreRiga to build new harbour
The Latvian port of Riga, the largest operator of Russia's coal exports to Europe, is planning to increase its annual handling capacity from last year's 30 mtpa to 50 mtpa by 2013. MoreFLSmidth bags coal handling project in India
India's Coastal Gujarat Power has awarded an US$23.33M contract to Denmark's FLSmidth to supply and erect a coal handling system for its Ultra Mega Power Plant (UMPP) in western Gujarat state. MoreCargotec to supply 24 electric cranes for bulker series
Cargotec's contract to supply electric-drive MacGregor cranes for a series of eight 16,900 dwt bulkers being built in China is a breakthrough order in the bulk carrier sector for the company's new environmentally-friendly range of equipment. MoreMassey acquires coal assets
Massey Energy Company has completed the acquisition of select mining assets from the now bankrupt Appalachian Fuels, LLC and its affiliates. MoreDBCT to stay Prime
Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal will remain in the control of Prime Infrastructure (formerly Brown & Babcock Infrastructure) despite the acquisition of a 49.9% by Canada's Brookfield Asset Management. More
Feature articles
Verifying quality and consistency
Stability and reliability are key for the sampling of bulk materials. Major orders won recently highlight how sampling specialists are working with their customers to supply tailormade systems. MoreUnderground coal gasification - the acceptable face of coal mining?
There is growing interest in underground coal gasification, whereby energy is accessed from coal in a cleaner way than traditional combustion methods. Peter Dryburgh, an international mining expert at Wardell Armstrong, looks at the benefits of UCG. MoreCCS offers coal a new chance
Coal will remain at the heart of the global energy mix only if CCS technology is commercially available, delegates at the Coaltrans World Coal Conference were told in October. MoreGrab unloading undergoes a green renaissance
The future looks brighter for grab unloaders as manufacturers experience renewed interest from the bulk market. MoreUS weathers the economic storm
The global economic crisis has not been all bad news for North America's bulk markets. MoreEnergy resources in Central Asia
Alastair Ralston-Saul, CEO and Dr. Jan Ketelaar, chief mining engineer, Saddleback Corporation, look at the coal resources of Tajikistan. MoreProducers pin hopes on China
While market forecasts for 2010 may be at odds with each other, all agree that China's demand will be key to the coal industry's prospects. MoreA drive for productivity
Terminal operators are looking to sophisticated and automated drive systems to improve crane productivity and so increase berth utilisation rates. MoreSpecifying dust control for bulk materials handling*
Dust suppression has become an increasingly important challenge in bulk materials handling operations, with raised awareness and tighter regulatory standards both contributing motivation for the industry to find efficient, cost-effective methods of particle control. MoreGlobal coal players look to London
The exhibition at the Coaltrans World Coal Conference complements the conference programme and is a popular area with delegates. Showcasing companies and services that matter to the international coal industry, it is always a hive of activity. Exhibiting companies and stand numbers are correct at the time of going to press. MoreGrabbing hold of the market
Grab manufacturers have been experiencing slow market conditions as operators have chosen to defer investment. But now there are welcome signs that demand is growing. MoreUK Coal digs out of a hole
The maxim "when in a hole, stop digging" does not apply to UK Coal, which has raised GBP100M to help turn itself around. MoreWell stocked but orders needed
Although the major mining groups are cutting back on investments as demand slumps, there are still sufficient projects underway to maintain strong order books for stackers/reclaimers. MoreHargreaves mines a richer seam
The transition of Hargreaves from a haulage concern to a coal producer and logistics provider has generated significant rewards for the group. MoreDust pollution solutions
Dust creation is a key issue when handling bulk materials, as it con stitutes a severe risk for health, safety and the environment. Increased focus on these risks, combined with strengthened regulations, have resulted in a growing need for dust handling equipment. MoreUncertain future for UK coal market
Following several years of stability and steady growth, the UK coal market is entering a period of uncertainty as power generators await government guidelines on future energy policies. MoreBetter planning in coal handling
More coal terminals are purchasing planning applications to improve the planning process and optimise throughput. MoreEconomic recovery is major topic at London's World Coal Conference
The agenda at this year's annual Coaltrans conference will address a range of topical issues, including the prospects for recovery from the worldwide economic downturn and the impact on the coal, power and steel industries. MoreConsolidation and two diverging markets
Rising optimism about the state of the global economy has been reflected in higher coking coal prices and renewed interest in investment, particularly from China. MoreAsian performance key to global coal market recovery
Analysts are keeping a close watch on Asia's developing countries which are forecast to lead the revival of coal markets worldwide. More
