Coal news and updates

Limited supplies of Meghalaya steam coal resume

December 4: Supplies of steam coal from Meghalaya, a north-eastern state in India, has re-started in a small way in recent days, industry sources said.

Supply had been almost completely stopped from April this year following a ruling by the Green Bench of a high court. The court had, however, allowed clearance of already mined coal lying at various places within the state, source said.

In recent weeks, it was found that there has been significant increase in the supply of Meghalaya coal, which is primarily used by brick kiln makers in northern India (Punjab, Rajasthan and western Uttar Pradesh).

In the absence or limited supplies of this variety of coal, brick kiln makers were buying high-sulphur and high calorific value US origin coal, but that is likely to taper down in the coming days.

“Meghalaya coal has once again started going to brick kiln makers in northern India in a limited way. Once the full-fledged supplies of this coal start, whatever demand was generated for US coal in recent month will fade,” feels an industry source.