CoalWire

CoalWire is a weekly news bulletin which summarises the most significant developments affecting the global coal industry and highlights the efforts of groups around the world working on coal-related issues. Suggestions of material for future bulletins should be sent to [email protected].

campaigns

Indonesia: Call to abandon proposed coal railway

The Indonesian government has been urged by environmental group Wahli (Friends of the Earth Indonesia) to scrap the proposed 148-kilometre PurukCahu-Bangkuang railway. The proposed US$2.6 billion public-private railway is aimed at allowing the expansion of coal mines in central Kalimantan. Environmental groups argue the project would devastate local watersheds and undermine government commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (Mongabay)

top news

Bangladesh: The High Court is considering an application to suspend work on the proposed Rampal power station until an expert committee has reviewed the likely impacts of the plant. Mounting opposition to the proposed 1,320 megawatt plant has garnered major international coverage.(BDLive, Time)

Bangladesh: The Bangladesh Cabinet has approved five further coal-fired plants to be built on a build-own-operate basis. The plants, ranging between 1,500 and 2,500 megawatts (MW), are proposed by the Orion Group and the S Alam Group to be based on imported coal. (BDLive)

China: The construction of 40 proposed coal to synthetic natural gas (SNG) plants would have profound climate, water and wider environmental impacts, warn two Duke University researchers. They also caution that the pursuit of SNG “could slow the deployment of renewable capacities that have even smaller carbon and water footprints and that generate less air and water pollution.”(Nature Climate Change, International Business Times)

India: The Ministry of Coal has identified 300kilometres of new railway lines which could enable the development of an additional 300-million tonnes of coal a year.  The projects face significant challenges including forestry and environment clearances, land acquisition, “rehabilitation and resettlement as well as law and order problems.” (Business Standard)

Indonesia: The Private Thai power company Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding (RATCH) is investigating a potential mine mouth power station with Indonesian coal producer Banpu. RATCH is aiming to complete a feasibility study on the project this year. (Bangkok Post)

New Caledonia: The French government is backing a proposal by the nickel smelting company SLN to build a new coal-fired plant in Noumea, the territory’s capital. The proposed plant has encountered strong public opposition. (Radio New Zealand, Radio New Zealand)

news

Australia: Rio Tinto rejects bids from Adani and others for sale of Queensland mine.

Australia: Call to cover railway coal wagons in Queensland to protect public health.

Canada:  Former British Columbia mines minister appointed as coal company adviser.

Canada: Kootenai River watershed named amongst most endangered rivers due to coal mine runoff.

Czech Republic: Plan to close Paskov mines encounters opposition.

Egypt: Government contemplates three options for the country’s first coal plants.

India: Debt-laden Lanco Infratech looks to offload stake in coal power and mine project.

India: Opposition to new coal projects while Jindal contractors bus in supporters for public hearing.

India: Six coal blocks likely to be auctioned to private companies.

India: Central Bureau of Investigation questions Jindal over coal allocations.

India: Private power companies hit by low prices and lack of coal.

Pakistan: Proposed Gadani 6,600MW power plant an “ill-conceived project.”

Philippines:  Japanese consortium aims to finalise 400MW expansion deal by December.

Philippines: Protest against proposed Palawan coal plant.

Slovakia: Increased fees force Enel to scrap 220MW of unprofitable coal plant.

Sri Lanka: Power utilities near agreement over proposed new coal plant.

South Africa: Minister for Science calls for rethink on proposed ‘Coal3’ power plant.

South Africa: Eskom’s proposed Coal3 power station costly, damaging and thirsty.

United States: Legislators form “Coal Caucus” to oppose limits on new coal plants.

United States: Coal lobby succeeds in having Obama nominee withdraw.

United States: Alaskan salmon river at risk from Chuitna coal mine.

companies + markets

Government bailout for NZ coal company:The New Zealand government has agreed to provide up to US$125 million to prevent the collapse of the government-owned coal mining company, Solid Energy. The company took on high levels of debt to support major new coal projects when global metallurgical coal prices were high. (Businessweek, Reuters)

Met coal exporter floundering: Gujarat NRE Coking Coal which sells metallurgical coal to its parent company, Indian-owned Gujarat NRE Coke, is teetering on the brink of insolvency. Employees are owed wages and superannuation but these are contingent on a bid by Jindal Steel and Power to buy a further 20% share being approved at an October 16 meeting. (Illawarra Mercury,Economic Times)