Coal

CHINA’S COAL OUTPUT DROPS 3% IN AUGUST AS SAFETY CURBS BITE, BUT YEAR-TO-DATE PRODUCTION REMAINS HIGHER.

China’s coal production fell by 3% year-on-year in August to 390.5 million metric tons, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, as Beijing’s nationwide safety inspections and tighter controls on mining capacity weighed on supply. The decline marks a second consecutive month of weaker output after July hit the lowest level in more than a year. Authorities have been enforcing strict safety measures, with some mines temporarily closed in the run-up to China’s early September military parade, underscoring how political sensitivities and regulatory oversight are shaping the energy sector. Still, thanks to a strong first-half ramp-up, overall coal production for the first eight months of 2025 stood at 3.17 billion metric tons — 3% higher than the same period a year earlier. The trend highlights Beijing’s balancing act between ensuring energy security, curbing safety risks, and managing its climate commitments.

2 months, 2 weeks

Coal

INDIA'S COAL IMPORTS ARE AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL, PRODUCTION JUMPS 7%.

India emerged as the world's largest buyer of seaborne coal two years ago, surpassing China and Japan, driven by heightened steel demand. Despite a slight decline in imports in 2022 and 2023, projections suggest a rise to 100 million metric tons by 2030.

1 year, 6 months

Coal

G7 NATIONS COMMIT TO COAL PHASEOUT BY 2035, BUT CHALLENGES REMAIN.

The United States, the UK, Italy, France, Japan, Germany, and Canada have reached an agreement this week to phase out coal for power generation by 2035. This move has received mixed reactions, with some praising the decision while others, like Greenpeace, deem it insufficient.

1 year, 7 months

Coal

GROWING COAL DEPENDENCY PUTS CENTRAL ASIAN ECONOMIES AT RISK.

Central Asian states have significantly increased their coal-based power generation capacity over the past decade, with further expansion plans in the pipeline.