BULKS

"Works to replace coal ... had yet to finish according to plan"

China relaxes coal ban as winter bites

Staff reporter

This article is 7 years old. Images might not display.

The ban was part of a drive to tackle air pollution but the Environmental Protection Ministry last week issued an urgent statement saying the first principle was to keep people warm in winter.

The statement said the ministry had "discovered that in some areas, works to replace coal with electricity or gas had yet to finish according to plan, and there were anxieties about fuel sources to provide heating," the BBC reported.

Local media had reported at one school, teachers were taking small students outside while the sun was out because the school could not be supplied with gas heating and the use of electric heating tripped the power.

China was looking to nuclear power as a reliable heating solution, Reuters reported yesterday.

Meanwhile Newcastle thermal coal futures and coking coal futures are up more than 17% and 8% over the past year according to data compiled by Mining Journal.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Journal Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Journal Intelligence team.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence: Investor Sentiment Report 2025

Exclusive insights into the plans, priorities and preferences of 130+ mining investors and top factors influencing investment decisions in 2025.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence World Risk Report 2024 (feat. MineHutte ratings)

A detailed analysis of mining investment risks across 117 jurisdictions globally, assessed across six risk categories and an industrywide survey.

editions

ESG Mining Company Index: Benchmarking the Future of Sustainable Mining

The ESG Mining Company Index report provides an in-depth evaluation of ESG performance of 61 of the world's largest mining companies. Using a robust framework, it assesses each company across 9 meticulously weighted indicators within 6 essential pillars.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Global Leadership Report 2024: Net Zero

Gain insights into decarbonisation trends and strategies from interviews with 20+ top mining executives and experts plus an industrywide survey.