April 5, 2012

Alpha Natural Resources to permanently close Upper Big Branch Mine

Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. (NYSE: ANR) announced today that it plans to permanently close the Upper Big Branch (UBB) mine near Whitesville, W.Va.

April 5, 2012

BHP’s coal supplies facing delays

Even with Central Queensland miners returning to the coalface, BHP cannot promise its international customers their coal will be delivered on time.

April 4, 2012

‘Shocking’ trade numbers have some Australians calling the end of the mining boom

The commodity price cycle peaked in the third quarter of last year.

April 4, 2012

Miner union chief: EPA killing us like Navy SEALs kill terrorists

Chalk up another fracture in the Big Labor-environmentalist alliance: United Mine Workers President Cecil Roberts unloaded on the Environmental Protection Agency in a radio interview Tuesday.

April 4, 2012

Indonesia’s proposed export tax has Indian power companies scrambling

Indonesia's proposed tax on mining exports is having a ripple effect on Indian power companies that buy fuel for coal-fired power plants.

April 4, 2012

U.S. mining regulator tightens coal mines safety rules

As families and friends of dead miners mark the second anniversary of the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster in West Virginia on April 5, the U.S. Mine Safety and Health…

April 4, 2012

BHP Australia coal mines vote to continue strike

Australian coal mines owned by BHP Billiton (ASX:BHP) and Mitsubishi Development Pty Ltd (TYO:8058) in the Bowen Basin area voted to resume their strike, momentarily stopped this morning, right after…

April 4, 2012

Black lung payouts expanded under little known Obamacare section

While speculation about the Supreme Court's upcoming ruling on the Affordable Care Act has been getting all the attention, there is a little known provision in the law that reinstates…

April 3, 2012

Australian miners face explosions, acid sprays, gassings

Acid sprays, gassings, venomous snakes, and lightning strikes are just some of the risks faced by Queensland miners atop the threat of mine collapse and violent explosions.

April 3, 2012

Firestone Energy rejects offer for Waterberg coal mine stake

Firestone Energy Limited (ASX/JSE:FSE) rejected today an offer from Tata Power to invest in a joint venture with Sekoko Resources to develop a coal mine in the Waterberg area of…