In the news today…
Coal:
- NM Political Report reports a cooling-tower collapse takes one of two units at a major New Mexico coal plant offline indefinitely, diminishing the plant’s generating capacity as another heat wave heads for the region and further complicating a plan to equip the plant with carbon capture.
- The Dallas Morning News reports the governor hasn’t added additional grid reform measures to a special session but is urging the commission to act on its own, largely centering on prioritizing natural gas and coal-fired power plants.
- S&P Global reports the US is estimated to produce 617.3 million st of coal in 2021, the US Energy Information Administration said in a July 7 report, raising its monthly estimate by roughly 17 million st, or 2.9%, from June to its highest projection for the year.
- E&E Climatewire reports concerns about climate change have led to a consolidation of thermal coal mines by firms with shaky finances and by privately held mining companies that are less responsive to investor pressure, according to new research.
Minerals:
- Mining.com reports easing covid 19 risks and improved uranium fundamentals have prompted Western Uranium & Vanadium to pull the trigger on a restart of uranium exploration development and mining at the Sunday mine complex in western San Miguel County, Colorado.
- Mining.com reports geopolitical risks and the US-China tensions pose threats to the global lithium supply chain, a new report by Fitch Solutions Country Risk & Industry Research states.
- Financial Times reports the White House wants to reduce reliance on China for critical materials but environmentalists have raised objections.