Colombia's full-year coal output in 2017 stood at 89.4 million tonnes, down 1.2% from the 90.5 million tonnes of coal produced in 2016, Reuters reported Feb. 19, citing data from the country's Energy and Mining Ministry.

Production from the world's fifth-largest coal exporter was near the government-set target of 89 million tonnes, the report said, citing a statement from Mining Minister German Arce, who said companies in the sector "responded in a positive way to the challenges that appeared in 2017."

Coal giants in the Andean nation include Drummond Co. Inc., Glencore Plc, Murray Energy Corp. and Cerrejon, a joint venture owned by BHP Billiton Group, Glencore Xstrata and Anglo American Plc.