ABC News reported that Newcastle’s ship queue has hit 60 for the first time in several years, as global demand for coal continues to rise. In October, the Hunter Valley Coal Chain Coordinator warned of increased ship queues due to planned coal chain maintenance outages, combined with strong demand.

Russian coal and metal producer Mechel OAO said that Southern Kuzbass produced the first coking coal concentrate from the massive Elga deposit. A sample lot of 4,000 metric tons of Elga coking coal was washed at the Southern Kuzbass Sibir prep plant. The quality of the concentrate ranks the Elga deposit among the higher-value grades of coking coals, according to Mechel.

The U.S. federal government made two major announcements during early December regarding the investigation into the Upper Big Branch (UBB) mine disaster.

Peabody Energy said it will relocate its Executive Vice President and COO Eric Ford, along with reporting executives, to Brisbane, Australia—a move that reflects the significant and growing contributions of the company’s Australian operating platform. It comes against the backdrop of the successful acquisition of Macarthur Coal, a leading producer of low-volatile PCI metallurgical coal. Ford will lead Peabody Energy’s global operations from Brisbane and has been named chairman of the board of Macarthur Coal. He has nearly four decades of extensive international management, operating and engineering experience. He most recently served as CEO of Anglo Coal Australia Pty Ltd.

The coal miner considered most vulnerable to Australia’s carbon tax plan has sought to halt an exodus of investors with a new strategy for minimizing its greenhouse gas emissions. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, ASX-listed Gujarat NRE has suffered a dramatic share price slide this year amid predictions the carbon tax could reduce profit margins from its New South Wales coal business by up to $16/metric ton. As Australia prepares to vote on carbon legislation, Gujarat has revealed hopes of keeping the carbon tax impost below $3/mt.