COVID-19

Virus, market force coal companies to adjust operational plans

Two coal companies are making changes to their respective operations programmes, on two different continents, in response to the ongoing threat of COVID-19 and, in one case, coal market changes

 Alliance operates coal mines in all three Illinois Basin states: Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky, US

Alliance operates coal mines in all three Illinois Basin states: Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky, US

Mining Magazine is making some of its most important coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic freely available to readers. For more coverage, please see our COVID-19 hub. To subscribe to Mining Magazine, click here.

South Africa's Buffalo Coal has confirmed the country's Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has issued permission for it to restart mining - though only at 30% of its normal operating capacity.

The miner's operations, based in Dundee, KwaZulu Natal, had been under a national 21-day lockdown since March 24. In a separate same-day statement, the company said the national lockdown has been extended by another 14 days to April 30.

While the permission does not represent a restart to its normal operations, Buffalo Coal officials said it was set to recommence mining under compliant terms on April 14. 

"The company and its operations will continue to effectively manage and proactively respond to COVID-19 within the framework of the company's policies, and local and national health authority requirements and recommendations in order to minimise the risk of infection to our employees," it said.

Buffalo Coal has 100% interest in Buffalo Coal Dundee, a South African company which has a 70% interest in Zinoju; Zinoju has whole interest in the country's Magdalena bituminous mine and the Aviemore anthracite mine.

In the US, producer Alliance Resource Partners has updated its plan again, the first time since confirming March 30 it would temporarily cease all coal production at its Illinois Basin region mines through April 15.

The Oklahoma-headquartered miner said it committed previously to decisions that would hinge on its customers' business needs, and as such it has opted to extend its idlings.

"Based on available data and customer feedback as of today, Alliance has determined that anticipated coal supply requirements can be met currently from remaining inventory at its Illinois Basin mines, and has temporarily extended the previously announced cessation of coal production at those operations through April 26," it said.

Additionally, it will be supplying coal to its customers from existing inventory at the MC Mining operation in eastern Kentucky, which has been on a stoppage since early April. That will remain the case until coal production is transitioned to the new Excel No. 5 mine - a move expected to come next month.

"Coal production is continuing at ARLP's Northern Appalachian mines," Alliance officials added.

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

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

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Future Fleets Report 2024

The report paints a picture of the equipment landscape and includes detailed profiles of mines that are employing these fleets

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Digitalisation Report 2023

An in-depth review of operations that use digitalisation technology to drive improvements across all areas of mining production

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Automation Report 2023

An in-depth review of operations using autonomous solutions in every region and sector, including analysis of the factors driving investment decisions

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Exploration Report 2023 (feat. Opaxe data)

A comprehensive review of current exploration rates, trending exploration technologies, a ranking of top drill intercepts and a catalog of 2022 Initial Resource Estimates and recent discovery successes.