Global Market for Metallurgical Coal

Abstract

The two categories of metallurgical coal are coal for coking and pulverized coal for injection in blast furnaces. The most significant characteristics of coking coal are those determined by technical analysis (yield of volatiles, ash content, etc.) and the metallurgical properties determining the quality of blast furnace coke. For pulverized coal, the important parameters are those determined by technical analysis, the calorific value, and the grinding index. Demand for metallurgical coal depends on the output of pig iron, which, in turn, depends on regional characteristics. Even in the era of the green agenda, metallurgical coal retains its benefits. Increase in the supply of metallurgical coal may be expected to continue until 2030. Most such coal comes from Australia, Russia, and Mongolia. In Russia, several large coal projects are underway (ELSI, Kolmar, Severnaya Zvezda). The goal is to export the coal, especially to Asia. Russian exports will increase by 20 million t per year in the near future, according to the authors’ predictions. Global coal prices depend on production costs, which are at historically high levels. If global prices fall, the market will respond speedily, as high-cost suppliers are driven from the market, restricting supply, and global prices rise again.