In the news today…
Mining:
- Mining Technology reports mining companies around the globe are coming up with new ways to utilize mining waste.
- WKU reports the Australian-owned company with a troubled coal mine in western Kentucky is suing the U.S. Small Business Administration because it didn’t get money offered to other companies impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- E&E Greenwire reports Supreme Court justices declined to consider whether moving — but not adding — rocks, sand and other debris within a regulated waterway is subject to Clean Water Act restrictions.
- Washington Examiner reports Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue issued a memo Friday directing the U.S. Forest Service to expedite environmental reviews and permitting in natural forests and grasslands for oil and gas production, mining, and grazing.
Coal:
- The Center for Biological Diversity reports an overhaul of coal mining oversight would limit citizen and federal monitoring of state programs.
- International Banker reports we may be seeing an end to coal.
- E&E Greenwire reports environmental groups last week alleged a coal company bulldozed roads in Colorado’s Gunnison National Forest despite a federal court’s ruling to vacate construction exceptions for mining activities.
- The Durango Herald and Argus report GCC Energy has been issued the lease for its expansion of the King II coal mine in western La Plata County.
- Argus reports coal stockpiles at regulated Kentucky utilities grew by 35pc by the end of the first quarter amid reduced electricity generation going into spring as businesses shut to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Energy:
- E&E Energywire reports the electric utility serving southern Indiana’s coal country announced a plan to transition swiftly from coal to renewable energy as part of a strategy it said would save consumers more than $300 million and slash carbon emissions.
- E&E Energywire reports clean energy job losses began to level off in May, according to a new analysis, but industry advocates are pushing back against the Trump administration’s assurances that the nation is back on the road to recovery.
- E&E Energywire reports a petition before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that seeks to upend national net metering policies has spurred a whirlwind of bipartisan backlash.
- E&E Daily reports Democrats on both sides of the Capitol are stepping up pressure to see clean energy assistance included in future COVID-19 relief efforts.
Minerals:
- Mining.com reports iron and gold are doing equally well globally, but stocks in their mining companies are not.
- Bloomberg NEF reports automakers worried about materials supply for their new electric vehicle models need to take a closer look into the different lithium chemical markets.
World News:
- Hellenic Shipping News reports the Covid-19 pandemic will result in a reduction of at least 9% in global seaborne thermal coal demand this year.