A roundup of international coal news from Nov. 20 to Nov. 27.
Europe
Poland:
Asia
China:
China will likely meet its 2016 goal of reducing coal capacity by 500 million tonnes within five years ahead of schedule, Xinhua News reported Nov. 21, citing an official with the country's top state planner. Lian Weiliang, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission, said the number of coal mines in China will drop to about 7,000 by the end of 2017 from 10,800 in 2015.
India:
India's imports of North American coal in October quadrupled year over year to 2.1 million tonnes, the highest since at least January 2015, Reuters reported Nov. 20. Imports of the fossil fuel from the U.S. are expected to further increase in the coming months amid the country's ban on petroleum coke as part of its efforts to tackle air pollution.
Australia
The Queensland Labor party is tipped to win the popular vote and form a majority government in the Australian state parliament, although it will be several days before the full election results are in, according to several media outlets. Ahead of the elections, the party said it would veto federal government funding assistance for Adani Enterprises Ltd.'s giant Carmichael coal mine in the state, whereas the rival Liberal National Party came out in favor of the A$900 million Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility, citing the project's economic benefits.
The Labor government is expected to offer Adani a package of deferred royalty payments as well as infrastructure funding, totaling A$460 million, for the company's Carmichael coal mine, The Australian reported Nov. 23, citing unnamed sources close to the deal.
Glencore Plc ceased production at the Oaky No. 1 mine within its Oaky Creek coal complex in Queensland, Australia, S&P Global Platts reported Nov. 23, citing several sources. Sources pointed to the depletion of minable resources at the site as a factor for the shutdown.
ENGIE SA and Mitsui & Co. Ltd. agreed to sell the Loy Yang B coal power plant in Victoria, Australia, to Alinta Energy Holdings Pty. Ltd., Bloomberg News reported Nov. 22, citing an emailed statement from Alinta. The deal for the 1,000-MW power station is worth about A$1.2 billion, according to a separate report from The Australian.
Africa
A number of large coal producers in South Africa reached a three-year wage settlement with the National Union of Mineworkers, according to a Nov. 23 release from the Chamber of Mines of South Africa. Under the agreement, effective July 1, entry-level to operator workers at larger companies will get a 1,100 South African rand increase in the first year with a 7.5% increase in the second year and an 8.5% increase in the second and third year.
South Africa:
This feature was updated as of 10:12 a.m. ET on Nov. 27. Some external links may require a subscription.
