US coal production rises 18.9% on week to 10.3 million st: EIA

The US boosted weekly coal production 18.9% to 10.3 million st throughout the week ended Jan. 6, according to US Energy Information Administration data released Jan. 11.

Compared with the year-ago week, US coal production was 7.2% lower. All major US coal producing regions increased their output compared with the previous week.

Central Appalachia production grew by the steepest weekly margin, with a 1.4 million st output, up 22.2% from the previous week. Compared with the year-ago week, CAPP coal production was 2.1% lower.

Central Appalachia Thacker/Kenova 12,500 Btu/lb Norfolk Southern-delivered rail coal for the second quarter increased 25 cents from the previous session to $73.50/st Jan. 5, according to the Platts assessment based on broker indications of value at $73/st and $74/st, tested in the market through 11:30 pm ET.

Northern Appalachia coal production increased 21.7% on the week to 1.6 million st in the first week of 2024. NAPP coal production was 4.5% lower than the year-ago week.

Northern Appalachia Pittsburgh Seam 13,000 Btu/lb rail coal for second quarter increased 35 cents on the session to $50.60/st Jan. 5, the Platts Weekly Price Survey showed. The assessment was based on a broker indication of value at $52.25/st and a sulfur-adjusted broker indication of value at $48.99/st, tested in the market through 11:30 am ET.

The Illinois Basin produced 1.4 million st of coal, 20% higher than the previous week. Compared with the year-ago week, ILB coal production was 8.2% lower.

Second quarter-delivered Illinois Basin 11,800 Btu/lb rail coal dropped 10 cents from the prior session to $42.90/st Jan. 5.

The Powder River Basin, which consists of Wyoming and Montana, produced 4.6 million st. PRB coal production was 18.7% higher on the week. Compared with the year-ago week, PRB coal production was 6.7% lower.

Powder River Basin 9,400 Btu/lb rail coal was flat on the session at $14.95/st, based on a heat-adjusted PRB 8,800 Btu/lb price at $13.95/st.

Platts is part of S&P Global Commodity Insights.