
UK energy minister says coal still has an important role to play
John Hayes, UK energy minister, stressed coal’s continuing importance in the UK energy mix in a speech at the World Coal Association Leadership Reception.
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John Hayes, UK energy minister, stressed coal’s continuing importance in the UK energy mix in a speech at the World Coal Association Leadership Reception.

The world’s largest mining company has announced Q4 2012 production figures broadly in line with analyst’s expectations for petroleum and metallurgical coal, although thermal coal production was lower.

The Minamata Convention will introduce a range of global controls to reduce mercury emissions.

The merger of Glencore and Xstrata has been approved by the South African Competition Tribunal, leaving only China yet to ok to deal.

Glencore and Xstrata have delayed completion of their merger after delays in getting regulatory clearance.

Caterpillar has announced it will take a US$ 580 million “goodwill impairment charge” on its acquisition of ERA Mining Machinery and its subsidiary, Zhengzhou Siwei Mechanical & Electrical Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

The legislature of the Crow Tribe of Indians has approved agreements with Cloud Peak Energy to explore Power River Basin coal deposits located on its reservation.

The US Energy Information Agency (EIA) has released a report on US coal production and prices for 2012 that shows both were down from 2011 figures.

Global mining major, Rio Tinto, has released its Q4 2012 operations review, reporting a rise in thermal coal production but a drop in metallurgical coal production.

Diversified US fuel producer, CONSOL Energy, has agreed sale of two coal assets in Canada for a total of US$ 127 million. The sale of these properties is part of an ongoing strategy sell non-core assets, which is expected to continue in 2013.

The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) has released its first Short-Term Energy Outlook for 2013. The EIA predicts average Brent crude oil and Henry Hub natural gas prices spot prices will fall compared to 2012. Coal’s share of the energy mix will rise.

Haohua Energy International has received the required Chinese government approvals to complete its US$ 100 million investment in Coal of Africa Ltd (CoAL). The investment will now be subject to shareholder approval at an extraordinary general meeting later this month.