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The future of coal:
A historic turning point
on the horizon

The global coal market has experienced a turbulent three years, with demand dropping sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic, only to skyrocket as a post-COVID-19 rebound that coincided with Russia invading Ukraine. Global coal demand reached an all-time high in 2022 and for 2023 the black rock was still central to the world’s economy as the largest energy source for electricity generation, steelmaking and cement production. THERESA SMITH reports.

Concurrently, coal is the largest source of manmade CO2 emissions and curbing consumption is essential to meeting international climate targets. The International Energy Association (IEA)’s Coal 2023 analysis suggests a historic turning point is coming and projects a coal demand peak within this decade under today’s policy settings. This is due to a structural decline in coal usage in developed economies and a weaker economic outlook for China, which has pledged to reach peak CO2 emissions before 2030.

Still, questions remain about when this peak demand will happen, at what level and how fast coal consumption will decline after that point.

Coking coal price forecast and the green transition

Regarding global supply, research firm BMI forecast the price of Australian coking coal price for 2023 at US$295 per ton.* BMI’s Sabrin Chowdhury, Head of Commodities, says moving into 2024 she sees prices settling at an annual average of US$300 per ton as demand stabilises. In the long-term BMI expects coking coal prices to trend downward as global blast furnace steel production slows and steelmakers transition to cleaner steelmaking processes.

It expects slowing steel production in importing nations, except India, will cap coking coal demand and consequently prices. It also foresees a greater adoption of electric arc furnaces as well as the use of green hydrogen in steelmaking.

“This paradigm shift will reduce the need for coking coal in the production of steel, hampering the fossil fuel’s long-term demand and price outlook,” states Chowdhury.

Nevertheless, she predicts that coking coal prices will remain high by historical standards over the 2024 to 2027 period because prices now start from a higher base following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. And BMI does not expect a full price collapse as supply will remain tight globally.

Supply of coking coal and projected risk factors

Current uncertain global conditions present risk to coking coal price forecasts, says Chowdhury. On the downside the deep recession in developed markets could exacerbate already weak global manufacturing, steel production and construction sectors. This would lead to a decline in coking coal consumption, further impacting prices negatively. Additionally, a stronger supply outlook could contribute to lower prices due to increased inventory.

“On the upside, there is the potential for Mainland China to experience a resurgence in construction activities and higher growth in steel production. In such a case, Mainland China could increase its coal imports from Australia back to levels prior to 2020. The increased demand from China would cause a massive rally in coking coal prices,” says Chowdhury.

BMI sees China’s demand for coking coal peak in the latter half of the decade. In the long term there is an expectation that green hydrogen, to be produced without use of fossil fuel, will play an increasing role in decarbonising steel production.

Europe thermal coal demand takes a dip BMI sees Europe driving global coal demand weakness at the start of 2024. European markets sought to diversify away from Russian energy sources in 2022, creating a short-term rise in coal demand at the start of the Russia- Ukraine conflict.

“Rising coal stockpiles and lower demand in Europe has compelled some market participants to resell excess inventory to Asia and Africa, putting additional pressure on global prices. Throughout H123, thermal coal from Europe has been shipped to markets such as Morocco, Senegal and Guatemala,” says Chowdhury. In the longer term, even as European coal demand declines, BMI sees demand starting to show signs of revival in Mainland China.

“Data from China customs shows a 163% YOY increase in coal imports into Mainland China during the first eight months of the year, reaching 21.5Mt in August 2023.

“Yet, this rise in imports has failed to benefit Newcastle thermal coal prices, which have largely range traded between US$130-160/t in H2 2023.” Chowdhury explains.

China imported more thermal coal because hydropower generation in southwest China decreased 18% between mid-2022 and mid-2023, with fossil fuel power generation increasing 7% during that period.

“Coal was regarded as critical during Mainland China’s National Congress in 2022 and in its two sessions which met in March 2023. Developments in China will have the largest impact on the outlook for global coal demand, since China’s power sector alone accounts for one third of global coal consumption according to the IEA,” states Chowdhury.

Thermal coal pricing going forward

BMI maintains its long-term forecast of prices averaging US$170/t in 2024 before falling to US$130/t in 2027. It sees the EU’s accelerating shift towards alternative power weaking coal’s dominance in the energy sector. “Even in the unlikely event of a rapid de-escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, we expect that policy direction in the EU is now firmly set on greater energy independence from Russia.

“On the global demand side, the rapid expansion and acceleration of renewable energy in the EU will allow for reductions in coal use. In Mainland China, the steady build-up of renewable power and climate goals will also translate to reduced demand for coal upon the installation of necessary power grids and supply.

“On the supply side, production is expected to increase in Mainland China and India, reducing reliance on imports. Apart from these two countries, there are no strong signs of growth.

“Firms are likely to increasingly divest away from their coal resources in the longer term as energy trends shift away from coal, alongside increasing climate concerns. Governments, banks and mining companies continue to show a lack of appetite for coal, particularly thermal coal.

“Most recently, in January 2023, Glencore was pressured by shareholders for greater disclosure on its thermal coal production and capital expenditure, with shareholders citing concerns about the firm’s climate goals and added risks from its coal assets,” says Chowdhury.

She adds the main risk to prices lie with a recession in the world economy, a significant slowdown in Mainland China’s rebound or the US dollar strengthening to 2022 highs.

African coal demand and supply led by South Africa

The IEA states that coal consumption in Africa decreased by 4.4Mt in 2022, to a total of 187Mt because of persistent issues with Eskom’s coal plant fleet. This decrease was modest though because consumption was already reduced thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stagnant economic activity and persistent loadshedding in 2023 continued to drag down South Africa and – by extension –the entire continent’s coal demand. The IEA forecasts a U-turn on the continent’s coal consumption trend for the period to 2026 though, with total demand increasing to 193Mt over the next three years. It credits this growing figure to a better forecast for Eskom’s coal-fired power stations.

While it points out that 84% of Africa’s coal consumption in 2022 came from South Africa and the poor performance of Eskom’s coal-fired power stations decreased overall coal demand, the IEA predicts this continued demand for years to come.

Eskom’s Just Energy Transition, funded by the World Bank, was meant to kick off with the decommissioning of 56-year-old Komati coal plant, which went dark in October 2022. “However, given the critical supply situation, South Africa’s climate policy body recently suggested delaying the retirement of coal plants without specifying a timeline,” the IEA states.

By Mining Review Africa, January 29 2024

This month's top international coal headlines

  • Med, MENA thermal coal prices stay rangebound amid stable buying interest
    — Platts CTI
  • Indian demand picks up with 8 thermal trades, 4 petcoke — McCloskey
  • Asian thermal coal market sees steady Chinese demand for low CV cargoes
    — Platts CTI
  • South African thermal coal prices edge up on higher inquiries — Platts CTI
  • Seriti Resources plans workforce cuts, potentially affecting coal production
    — Platts CTI
  • API2: EU futures plunge further amid bearish market fundamentals — i-Energy
  • API4: SA futures two months down — i-Energy
  • Global natural gas demand to rise by one-third by 2050
    — The Global Energy Association
  • Indian buyers take petcoke and SA thermal coal — McCloskey
  • South African thermal coal prices fall amid low demand — Platts CTI
  • Oversupply expected to weigh on thermal prices to 2025 — McCloskey
  • Vietnam to see robust coal demand for next decade — McCloskey
  • India's steel industry woes may hamper South African thermal coal exports
    — Platts CTI
  • API2: EU futures slide as markets hold steady — i-Energy
  • API4: SA futures headed north, mirroring API2 contract — i-Energy
  • South Africa’s coal workers face an uncertain future – Mpumalanga study flags they’re being left out of the green transition — The Conversation
  • Renewables seen rising in Southeast Asia but coal to remain strong in longer term — Platts CTI
  • South African thermal coal price under pressure amid muted demand, higher stockpiles — Platts CTI
  • Germany ‘patiently’ waiting for South Africa to move away from coal — Bloomberg
  • Atlantic thermal coal prices fall sharply on week amid slow demand — Platts CTI
  • Eskom sticks to plan to extend life of coal plants — McCloskey
  • Indian buyers book SA coal, US petcoke cargoes — McCloskey
  • Atlantic thermal markets correct lower — McCloskey

Headlines from earlier this year

August 2024
  • India buys S. Africa cargoes, traders build up stocks — McCloskey
  • S. Africa eases on Oct trade, Europe up on higher gas — McCloskey
  • SA’s Black Wattle coal output surges, exports up — McCloskey
  • Kinetic Development Group invests $90 mil in South Africa’s MC Mining
    — Platts CTI
  • Thirst for natural gas: South Africa weighs supply options to meet power sector needs — Platts CTI
  • API2: EU futures current month stable, front month down — i-Energy
  • API4: SA futures heading south — i-Energy
  • Atlantic thermal coal prices mixed on limited demand — Platts CTI
  • Atlantic prices retreat from last week’s 2024 highs — McCloskey
  • Thermal coal derivative volumes touch three-month high in July: LEBA
    — Platts CTI
  • Richards Bay finds support from geopolitical risks — Southern Africa Coal Report
  • API2: EU futures showed bearish trend amid weak demand — i-Energy
  • API4: SA futures indicated signs of stability — i-Energy
  • New Zealand scraps clean, green policies to boost economy — Reuters
  • India demand picks up with SA, Indonesia trades — McCloskey
  • India’s CIL to increase coal supply to power plants through revised provision
    — Platts CTI
  • Asian thermal coal market turns cautious amid high stocks in China — Platts CTI
  • Botswana election could complicate Pentagon’s search for new digs in Africa
    — The Washington Times
  • Europe Is Expected to Burn More Coal this Winter — FutureCoal
  • India buys Indonesia, S. Africa and US thermal cargoes — McCloskey
  • Atlantic thermal coal prices edge close to 2024 highs — McCloskey
  • Demand remains unchanged in Atlantic thermal coal market amid limited inquiries — Platts CTI
  • Richards Bay prices steady with October trade — McCloskey
  • China's July coal imports rise to seven-month high — Reuters
  • Glencore chooses to retain coal and steel raw materials — McCloskey
  • INTERVIEW: Coal to remain a dominant power source in India: Menar MD
    — Platts CTI
  • API2: EU futures reached highest level in two months — i-Energy
  • API4: SA futures soar to two-month high, riding the wave of EU contract
    — i-Energy
  • Atlantic thermal coal sees mixed prices amid weak demand, supply disruption
    — Platts CTI
  • Indian end-users buy South African, Indonesian material — McCloskey
  • Richards Bay hits 2024 high, NW Europe at 3-month top — McCloskey
  • Industry eagerly awaits key S. Africa logistics report — McCloskey
  • Grid rules should favour shovel-ready projects whether public or private – Minister — Engineering News
July 2024
  • Global coal demand set to remain at record levels in 2023 — IEA
  • Coal's role in energy transition: a balancing act — Mining Review Africa
  • Richards Bay prices rise as focus turns to Oct cargoes
    — Southern Africa Coal Report
  • Coal-fired output will remain resilient in 2024 due to strong electricity demand growth — FutureCoal
  • Port and rail to connect Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Botswana — Freight News
  • Med, MENA thermal coal imports steady on contractual deliveries — Platts CTI
  • Atlantic thermal coal market sees CIF ARA bids rising despite weak demand
    — Platts CTI
  • EU coal demand to fall below 300 Mt in 2025: IEA — Platts CTI
  • RBCT stocks increase amid rail closure — McCloskey
  • India April-June power sector coal imports rise 37% on year — Platts CTI
  • IEA ups 2024/25 coal demand outlook; now seen steady — McCloskey
  • ‘We don’t see a pathway’ to coal phaseout by 2030, says US utility
    — Financial Times
  • West hurting itself by pursuing ‘net zero’ while Russia and China increase fossil fuels — New York Post
  • Botswana seeks Mozambique rail route to exploit coal billions — Bloomberg
  • South African thermal coal price steady despite rail line disruption between Richards Bay and Ermelo — Platts CTI
  • S. Africa coal lines resume normal ops after disruption — McCloskey
  • Thermal coal derivatives volume marginally up at 28.9 Mt in June: LEBA
    — Platts CTI
  • Easing supply constraints, weak demand keeps Asian thermal coal prices rangebound — Platts CTI
  • Maatla Resources : Developing Stability — Mining Outlook
  • S. Africa prices rangebound ahead of rail maintenance
    — Southern Africa Coal Report
  • S. Africa mine production flat in May — Southern Africa Coal Report
  • Exporters ramp up RBCT stocks ahead of rail maintenance
    — Southern Africa Coal Report
  • S. Africa coal line hit by more power cuts, cable theft — McCloskey
  • ASEAN energy ministers confirm importance of coal for Southeast Asian nations
    — Lars Schernikau
  • API2: EU futures experience volatility amid natural gas supply concerns
    — i-Energy
  • API4: SA futures fluctuate due to market instability towards end of the week
    — i-Energy
  • Botswana eyes new export route to exploit huge coal resource — Bloomberg
  • Asian thermal coal prices continue to fall amid weak demand; offer-bid gap remains wide — Platts CTI
  • Why Anglo's asset sale could stir up trouble — News24
  • TURKEY DATA: May thermal coal imports surge 31% amid discounted restocking — Platts CTI
  • Atlantic thermal coal market sees limited activity; weak demand fundamentals persist — Platts CTI
  • Bid-offer disparity keeps trades limited in Asian thermal coal market
    — Platts CTI
  • Richards Bay prices ease as focus turns to Sep cargoes
    — Southern Africa Coal Report
  • US, Colombia, South Africa thermal coal exports to fall to 146 million mt by 2026: report — Platts CTI
  • History made as GB Rail freight delivers final coal shipment — Platts CTI
  • API2: EU futures have dropped to a three-and-a-half-month low — i-Energy
  • API4: SA futures plummet to three-month low on surplus supply and waning demand — i-Energy
June 2024
  • Prices drop in the Atlantic thermal coal market amid weak demand fundamentals
    — Platts CTI
  • Exiting coal isn’t the way to net zero, Australian pension says — Reuters
  • S. Africa coal port strike in 2nd day, no impact yet — Reuters
  • API2: EU futures corrected upward for the week — i-Energy
  • API4: SA futures stable for the week — i-Energy
  • High CV market quiet, focus turns to off-spec coal — Southern Africa Coal Report
  • Demand remains unchanged in Atlantic thermal coal market; prices rangebound
    — Platts CTI
  • S Africa's annual coal line maintenance delay to further impact thermal coal exports — Platts CTI
  • India sponge iron producers buy three S. Africa cargoes
    — McCloskey Coal & Energy Report
  • Atlantic prices ease with three NW Europe trades
    — McCloskey Coal & Energy Report
  • Thungela poised to spend R3.9bn capital in South Africa — Mining Weekly
  • Eskom wins South African appeal to keep five polluting power plants open
    — Bloomberg
  • SA's RBCT coal exports rise in March — Reuters
  • Global energy transition has barely begun despite regional gains: Energy Institute — Platts CTI
  • Thermal coal derivative volumes stable at 28.1 Mt in May: LEBA — Platts CTI
  • API2: EU futures corrected upward for the week — i-Energy
  • API4: SA futures stable for the week — i-Energy
  • China Energy Sector: Coal port in Hebei Province turns to innovation to achieve carbon neutrality goal — CGTN — Platts CTI
  • Investors cheer S. Africa’s new coalition government — McCloskey
  • Rail line disruption between Ermelo and RLRA weighs on South African thermal coal exports — Platts CTI
  • Transnet could stage one of the greatest turnarounds in business history
    — Daily Maverick
  • Richards Bay eases as Aug enters index-setting window — Platts CTI
  • RBCT H1 coal exports seen up 11% on improved railings — Platts CTI
  • TURKEY DATA: April thermal coal imports fall 34% on month to 1.9 Mt
    — Platts CTI
  • Med, MENA coal prices mixed as fresh inquiries rise from major buyers
    — Platts CTI
  • ARA thermal coal stocks fall to multi-year low amid limited demand — Platts CTI
  • Coal demand to remain firm as Modi scrapes third term — Platts CTI
  • Asian thermal coal market sees limited activity amid slow demand — Platts CTI
  • S. Africa prices up for second week on tighter supplies
    — Southern African Coal Report
  • Supply concerns drive Richards Bay to 6-month highs
    — Southern African Coal Report
  • API2: EU front month futures jumped to seven month high — i-Energy
  • API4: SA front-month futures escalate to seven-month peak — i-Energy
May 2024
  • Atlantic thermal coal European demand remains subdued — Platts CTI
  • India’s coal demand from under-construction power projects to reach 106 Mtpa by FY30 — Platts CTI
  • Commodities, shipping in focus in watershed South African election — Platts CTI
  • India election 2024: Coal demand to surge if Modi wins — McCloskey
  • Richards Bay prices rise with two prompt trades — Southern African Coal Report
  • Eskom confident of coal supply for plant life extension
    — Southern African Coal Report
  • API4: SA futures surge due to API2 increased and logistical issues — i-Energy
  • API2: EU futures adjusted upwards with an increase in natural gas prices
    — i-Energy
  • Atlantic thermal coal market shows mixed sentiment as price volatility persists
    — Platts CTI
  • Richards Bay higher with two trades, NW Europe steady — McCloskey
  • Richards Bay June loader trades at $109/t FOB — Platts CTI
  • South African coal exports hit by train derailment; lines closed — Platts CTI
  • Partial services resume on South African coal rail line hit by derailment: Transnet Rail Freight — Platts CTI
  • API2: EU futures decline for current month, front month remains stable
    — i-Energy
  • API4: SA futures current month falls, front month rises — i-Energy
  • Asian thermal coal prices mixed, sees slow low-CV demand — Platts CTI
  • Richards Bay prices edge up on train derailment — Platts CTI
  • Mining production surprises on the downside — Platts CTI
  • South African coal exports hit by train derailment; lines closed — Platts CTI
  • Eskom board approves plan to operate Camden, Grootvlei and Hendrina to 2030 — Mining Weekly
  • Atlantic prices fall as European cargoes trade lower — Platts CTI
  • Thermal coal derivative volumes slump 18% on month to 28.6 Mt in April: LEBA
    — Platts CTI
  • Demand remains subdued in Atlantic thermal coal market amid limited trading activity — Platts CTI
  • Richards Bay prices recover, as low RBCT stocks support
    — Southern African Coal Report
  • S. Africa to propose new timeline to shut Eskom plants
    — Southern African Coal Report
  • S. Africa power crisis to end by 2025 - business group
    — Southern African Coal Report
  • Market activity for non-Russian anthracite increases
    — Southern African Coal Report
  • Election 2024: rivals agree on one thing - coal is king
    — Southern African Coal Report
  • India revives coal-based power plants under long outages to meet peak power demand — Platts CTI
  • RBCT Jan-April exports up 13% — McCloskey
  • TURKEY DATA: Thermal coal imports drop 12% on year in March — Platts CTI
  • Atlantic thermal coal prices see a slight uptick amid warmer temperatures in Europe — Platts CTI
  • Manook stresses importance of abated coal in energy future of many nations
    — Mining Weekly
  • Indian buyers take several Indonesia, SA cargoes — McCloskey
  • Richards Bay prices firm with June trade — McCloskey
  • Richards Bay prices fall further towards $100/t level
    — Southern African Coal Report
  • S. Africa coal projects eligible for $21m IDC fund — Southern African Coal Report
  • Canyon ships first coal cargo from Gugulethu — Southern African Coal Report
  • RBCT coal stocks drop below 2 Mt on rail incidents
    — Southern African Coal Report
  • Record Surge in Global Coal Capacity Led by China — OilPrice.com
  • Russian thermal coal flows impact Turkish energy landscape, shifts in global trade — Platts CTI
  • Atlantic thermal coal price slump to two-month low — Platts CTI
  • India buys Indonesia and S. Africa coal, US petcoke — McCloskey
  • Atlantic prices fall again, closing near key $100 level — McCloskey
  • China can’t quit coal by 2040, researchers say, despite global climate goals
    — The Straits Times
  • RBCT coal stocks drop below 2Mt on rail incidents — McCloskey
April 2024
  • Richards Bay eases from 5-month highs with two trades
    — Southern African Coal Report
  • Transnet rail volumes rise for the first time in 5 yrs — Southern African Coal Report
  • Asian thermal coal prices remain rangebound amid mixed indications — Platts CTI
  • West Virginia Coal Association president warns of impending EPA carbon rules
    — West Virginia Business News
  • Atlantic thermal coal prices fall amid easing geopolitical concerns — Platts CTI
  • Indian import demand picks up, led by power sector — McCloskey
  • China can't quit coal by 2040, researchers say, despite global climate goals
    — Reuters
  • SA’s coal exporters are now buying spare parts for Transnet’s locomotives to boost railages — miningmx
  • Volatility in Atlantic thermal coal prices to persist amid geopolitical risks
    — Platts CTI
  • API2: EU futures price pressure released as shipments redirected to alternate ports in the US — i-Energy
  • API4: SA futures have commenced a descent amid market stabilization — i-Energy
  • Coal Continues to Thrive Despite Pledges for Clean Energy — OilPrice.com
  • Sustainable global development should focus on bang for buck — Financial Post
  • Weak coal demand burdens delivered prices — Platts CTI
  • EMEA deliveries fall 18% — Platts CTI
  • Atlantic thermal coal prices rebound amid weak coal demand fundamentals
    — Platts CTI
  • Europe up with five trades, SA at 5-month high — McCloskey
  • RBCT Q1 exports up 17% y-o-y as railings improve — McCloskey
  • Indian importers turn to Australia, unnerving SA — McCloskey
  • NW European prices up with May trade — McCloskey
  • Halt in loadshedding could boost mining production, if sustained — Mining Weekly
  • Global thermal coal derivative volumes surge 36% on-month in March to 35.1 Mt: LEBA — Platts CTI
  • China accounted for two-thirds of new global coal plant capacity in 2023, report finds — CNBC
  • Coal is preparing for a long goodbye — Bloomberg
  • Coal Continues as Key Part of Japan’s Energy Mix — powermag.com
  • India extends imported coal plants full capacity order — McCloskey
  • China's first quarter coal imports surge, defying gloomy forecasts — Reuters
  • U.S. banks pledged to stop funding coal plants—but they’ve found a loophole
    — Fast Company
  • Meeting growing global demand with US coal — Count on Coal
  • Amid explosive demand, America is running out of power — Count on Coal
  • BigMint Interview: Coal abatement technologies key for India to achieve climate targets — BigMint Bureau
  • China to build more coal mines to feed surging power capacity — Bloomberg
  • Global coal power grew 2% last year, the most since 2016, GEM survey says
    — Reuters
  • BMO drops anti-coal policy amid Wall Street rebuke of ESG — Bloomberg
  • TURKEY DATA: February thermal coal imports rise 40% on year — Platts CTI
  • Med-delivered thermal coal price at nine-week low amid absent trading activity
    — Platts CTI
  • Indian demand picks up with Indonesia, Australia deals — McCloskey
  • Power demand explosion to drive trading boom, liquidity challenges remain
    — Platts CTI
  • Richards Bay prices gain ground on supply worries
    — Southern African Coal Report
  • API2: EU coal delivered futures corrected upward amid rising freight rates
    — i-Energy
  • API4: SA futures rise due to higher freight rates — i-Energy
  • EMEA thermal coal deliveries strengthen amid Turkey local elections — Platts CTI
  • Atlantic thermal coal prices retreat from 19-week high amid muted demand
    — Platts CTI
  • Atlantic thermal coal prices diverge after Easter break — McCloskey
  • Indian thermal import interest rises — McCloskey
  • Hopes of demand revival dwindle in Asian thermal coal market — Platts CTI
  • Richards Bay hovers above $100/t, supported by Europe
    — Southern African Coal Report
  • Transnet’s weekly coal railings highest in FY23/24 — Southern African Coal Report
  • Mafube Coal’s future threaten by licencing impasse
    — Southern African Coal Report
March 2024
  • Thermal coal derivative volumes slide 9% on month to 25.8 Mt: LEBA — Platts CTI
  • Atlantic thermal coal prices touch 15-week high amid bullish sentiment
    — Platts CTI
  • With Coal, We Must Consider Energy Reliability — American Coal Council
    — Platts CTI
  • Russian coal producers’ loss could be Colombian, South African miners’ gain
    — Platts CTI
  • US banks pledged to stop funding coal plants—but they’ve found a loophole
    — CAPITAL & MAIN
  • South Africa coal exports surge to Pakistan, Vietnam — McCloskey
  • API2: Further sanctions on Russia propel EU futures to three-month high
    — i-Energy
  • API4: SA futures current month down, front month up—positive market fundamentals for pricing — i-Energy
  • Exxaro's 'money or the box' conundrum — Miningmx
  • Atlantic thermal coal prices retreat from three-month high — Platts CTI
  • China coal group says peak demand imminent as clean power grows
    — Bloomberg
  • Price hikes weigh on Indian import activity — Platts CTI
  • Rising freight cost weigh on demand in Asian thermal coal market — Platts CTI
  • Pretoria is pivoting back to energy realism with King Coal — IOL
  • Richards Bay hovers above $90/t, propped up by India
    — Southern African Coal Report
  • Asia-Pacific Panamax freight rates rise amid higher bunkers, FFA gains
    — Platts CTI
  • German lignite hits 2024 high, imports rise as wind hits 13-week low — Platts CTI
  • API2: EU futures reached a two-month high level — i-Energy
  • API4: SA futures touched the highest levels in the past month — i-Energy
  • European thermal prices back above $100/t — McCloskey
  • Indian buyers book S. Africa, Russia cargoes — McCloskey
February 2024
  • Indonesia, South Africa aim to regain lost share in Indian coal market — Reuters
  • Appeal lost to halt expansion of last UK coal mine — BBC
  • South Korea's thermal coal imports slide in January — McCloskey
  • Asia-Pacific Panamax freight rates largely firmer amid stronger tonnage demand
    — Platts CTI
  • Richards Bay market finely balanced above $90/t
    — Southern Africa Coal & Metals Report
  • Junior miners invited to apply for 5-yr RBCT allocation
    — Southern Africa Coal & Metals Report
  • Indian power plants shift to South African coal
    — Southern Africa Coal & Metals Report
  • RBCT exports to rise in March, as trucking too costly
    — Southern Africa Coal & Metals Report
  • Mild weather, elevated stockpiles weigh on Atlantic thermal coal demand
    — Platts CTI
  • Indian import enquiries emerge, but deals slow — Platts CTI
  • Asian thermal coal demand improves as Chinese buyers seek prompt cargoes
    — Platts CTI
  • Indian power plants shifting to South African coal — McCloskey
  • Asia-Pacific regional Supramax freight rates surge amid bullish discussions
    — Platts CTI
  • Richards Bay trades near 3-year low, with little upside — Platts CTI
  • Western nations fail to deliver green funds to S. Africa — Platts CTI
  • Asian thermal coal market hopes for renewed Chinese demand as buyers rejoin market — Platts CTI
  • SOUTH KOREA DATA: Jan coal imports rise 8% on year amid lower average landed prices — Platts CTI
  • Atlantic thermal coal price weakness persists amid high stockpiles — Platts CTI
  • Coal India to add new mines, expand existing ones to meet higher demand, chairman says — Reuters
  • Indian importers book at least 4 multi-origin cargoes — McCloskey
  • THERMAL COAL SERIES: JKT coal reliance faces threat from renewables, nuclear power — Platts CTI
  • Richards Bay prices fall on March trade — McCloskey
  • API2: EU coal futures retreated to lower levels — i-Energy
  • API4: SA futures decline in the current month, rise in the front month — i-Energy
  • S. Africa prices edge up on India sponge iron buying
    — Southern African Coal Report
  • S. Africa officials look to bring back shut coal plants
    — Southern African Coal Report
  • Thermal coal derivative volumes up 18% on month to 28.5 Mt in Jan: LEBA
    — Platts CTI
  • The future of coal: A historic turning point on the horizon — Mining Review Africa
  • S. Africa to invest billions to keep coal plants open — McCloskey
  • Richards Bay edges up from July low, NW Europe steady — McCloskey
  • EMEA thermal coal import prices rise slightly on modest demand — Platts CTI
  • Atlantic thermal coal prices drop at end of week after remaining resilient
    — Platts CTI
  • THERMAL COAL SERIES: South Africa's logistics hurdles turn boon for growing Indian appetite — Platts CTI
  • European coal supply overhang persists as winter ends — McCloskey
  • Transnet receives locomotive batteries through RBCT partnership
    — Mining Weekly
  • Indian buyers pick up thermal coal, petcoke — McCloskey
  • Asian thermal coal prices rangebound on limited activity amid absence of participants — Platts CTI
  • Asian thermal coal market expects demand revival post Lunar New Year
    — Platts CTI
  • SA to invest billions to keep coal plants open — McCloskey
  • Dec thermal coal derivative volumes up 26% on year to 24.2Mt: LEBA — Platts CTI
  • API2: EU coal futures adjusted upward due to elevated natural gas prices
    — i-Energy
  • API4: stability maintained in SA futures for the week — i-Energy
  • Atlantic thermal coal prices supported by possible colder February — Platts CTI
  • Asian thermal coal market weak on cheaper alternatives, upcoming holidays
    — Platts CTI
January 2024
  • Richards Bay market drops again on weak Europe demand — Platts CTI
  • FutureCoal welcomes COP28 paving abated coal pathway — World Coal
  • Pretoria is going back to king coal — Hügo’s Newsletter
  • Atlantic thermal coal prices remain under pressure despite high-CV demand
    — Platts CTI
  • New public-private rail corridor agreement already boding well – RBCT
    — Mining Weekly
  • Richards Bay's coal exports dwindle to early 1990s levels as rail woes mount
    — News24
  • Indian import deals slow, but enquiries continue — McCloskey
  • API2: EU coal futures decline amid slower regional demand — i-Energy
  • API4: SA futures continue to touch the bottom — i-Energy
  • Transportation of coal resumes fully to Richards Bay Coal Terminal — Platts CTI
  • S. Africa's main coal line resumes operations — McCloskey
  • 2023 – The Year The European Renewables Bubble Burst — Forbes
  • Indonesia targets 710Mt coal output in 2024 after record 2023 — Reuters
  • Atlantic thermal coal markets continue to slide despite cold snap — Platts CTI
  • Asian thermal coal sees tight supply; low CV offer-bid gap narrows — Platts CTI
  • Calls growing to bring back reliable coal — Duluth News Tribune
  • Transnet partially restores service on coal export line — Reuters
  • Global coal exports and power generation hit new highs in 2023 — Reuters
  • Asian thermal coal prices rangebound; wide gap between bids, offers — Platts CTI
  • Transnet to reopen main SA coal line on Thu — McCloskey
  • SOUTH KOREA DATA: 2023 coal imports drop 4.5% on year amid overall low demand — Platts CTI
  • No impact so far on South African coal prices from rail closure — Platts CTI
  • Richards Bay prices ease after RBCT rail line closes
    — Southern African Coal Report
  • Minister defends plan to extend life of coal plants
    — Southern African Coal Report
  • RBCT 2023 coal exports drop to decades low of 47Mt
    — Southern African Coal Report
  • Coal financing is still booming – led by China — Bloomberg
  • Atlantic thermal coal prices diverge as cold snap fails to boost pricing — Platts CTI
  • India’s plans to double coal production, ignore climate threat — Bloomberg
  • API2: EU coal futures expand with looming cold snap and red sea conflict
    — i-Energy
  • API4: SA futures stable for a third consecutive week — i-Energy
  • Richards Bay recovers from July low, still below $100/t
    — Southern African Coal Report
  • President grants power minister authority over Eskom
    — Southern African Coal Report
  • New energy plan looks to extend life of coal plants — Southern African Coal Report
  • Atlantic thermal coal prices fall despite cold snap, higher burn — Platts CTI
  • Asian thermal coal market sees lack of bids amid subdued consumer demand
    — Platts CTI
  • Bangladesh's 2023 coal-fired power output tripled, easing shortages — Reuters
  • South Africa’s plan to add 100 gigawatts of new generation capacity — Bloomberg
  • Atlantic thermal coal prices rise in first week of 2024 — Platts CTI
  • Atlantic thermal prices steady after New Year wobble — McCloskey
  • JAPAN DATA: Coal imports fall 8% on year to 13.64Mt in Nov — Platts CTI
  • Asian thermal coal demand tepid despite some inquiries from Chinese buyers
    — Platts CTI
  • Atlantic thermal coal market set for calmer year — Platts CTI
  • Dec thermal coal derivatives volume falls 85% on year to 165,000 t: CME
    — Platts CTI
  • Indian gov’t planning to suspend coal mining for 10 years after 2030 — Sun Media

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We provide a service in coal information reporting through the creation of client-specific reports to meet unique client coal information needs.

Current industry statistics, including production, sales, exports and pricing data, as well as the latest information on developments in the field are sourced from the records of XMP Consulting, coal industry specialists.

 

About XMP Consulting

XMP Consulting is the parent company of AfriCoal Energy Review. All information provided by AfriCoal Energy Review is sourced through and backed by the XMP name and is held to the same high standard of technical expertise and professionalism.

The XMP coal team includes geologists, mining and coal processing engineers, logistics and marketing specialists, analysts and other support staff.

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