Glencore, one of the world’s largest global diversified natural resource companies, has reported reductions in its production in its 2016 Half-Year production report.
Production was down period-on-period in commodities where the company previously announced, and are delivering on, proactive supply reductions (copper, zinc, lead, coal and oil).
Coal production was 14% lower than 1H15, coming in at 58.8 million t – a reduction of 9.9 million t. Glencore reports this to be a reflection of production curtailments, disposal of Optimum Coal, the scheduled closures of two mines and some volume reductions and restrictions in Colombia.
Australian metallurgical coal production totalled 2 million t, 26% (0.7 million t) lower 1H15, reflecting geological issues at Oaky Creek and production at Tahmoor temporarily delayed by longwall preparatory work.
Australian thermal and semi-soft came in at 29.5 million t. This was was 1.8 million t (6%) higher than 1H15, a period in which, poor ground conditions at Bulga Underground and a longwall move at Ulan West impacted volumes.
South African thermal production finished at 14.1 million t – 8.2 million t (37%) lower than 1H15. Glencore indicated this was mainly due to the suspension of certain production within Optimum Coal and the closures of the Middelkraal and South Witbank mines.
Prodeco’s production was 1.8 million t (18%) lower than 1H15, coming in at 8.3 million t. The company reported this to be primarily due to volumes being proactively reduced in response to market conditions.
Attributable production from Cerrejón of 4.9 million tonnes was 1 million t (17%) lower than 1H15, mainly due to environmental restrictions introduced to improve the management of dust emissions and unusually heavy rainfall in May and June.
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
Coal India (CIL) is adopting technology to help tackle coal theft, a significant issue that may see as much as a fifth of CIL’s annual output diverted onto the black market, according to Reuters.
In a written reply to a question from the Lok Sabha, India’s lower house of parliament, Minister for Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy and Mines, Piysh Goyal, said that CIL has adopted “several measures based on IT to contain pilferage of coal”.
Measures include GPS-based vehicle tracking to prevent the diversion of coal trucks en route, the installation of CCTV at vulnerable points in the supply chain – including exit gates, weighbridges and sidings – and the installation of RFID tags on vehicles to automatically transfer data to control rooms at each area of the company.
These control rooms allow CIL to “take prompt action whenever any alert or exception report is generated from the vehicle tracking system,” Goyal added.
Edited by Jonathan Rowland.
The Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) has welcomed the announcement from Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Matthew Canavan of federal funding for carbon capture and storage (CCS) development projects.
“The investment in the projects will help develop CCS technologies that can potentially reduce emissions by around 90% from fossil fuel electricity generation,” said Greg Evans, Executive Director – Coal at the MCA.
According to Evans, the projects also highlight “the work the coal industry is undertaking to reduce emissions” through the ACALET Coal 21 Fund.
“The Australian coal industry is a major investor in the R&D of new coal emission reduction technologies,” said Evans. Through the ACALET Coal 21 Fund, the industry is investing in CCS projects and supports the research, development and demonstration of cleaner coal technologies.
The Coal21 Fund is a joint financier of the Carbon Transport and Storage Company’s Integrated Surat Basin CCS Project at Glencore’s Glenhaven property and has invested over AUS$9 million already in the project.
“Coal producers are moving the industry towards a low-emissions coal future,” concluded Evans. “The process is well established and industry – with the support of research and technology from around the world – is taking the necessary steps to ensure a long-term, viable coal future.”
Edited by Jonathan Rowland.
On Wednesday 17 August 2016, the US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) will commemorate the National Mine Health and Safety Academy’s four decades of service with a ceremony and keynote address by MSHA Assistant Secretary Joseph A. Main. Representatives from the US Congress and the mining industry will join Main during the program.
Over the past 40 years, tens of thousands of mine inspectors and mine safety professionals have passed through the doors of the academy, in West Virginia,. Dedicated in 1976, the complex houses the world’s largest educational institution devoted solely to training in mine health and safety. It is one of just seven permanent federal academies in the US.
“Education and training are vital components in improving the health and safety of the nation’s miners. The National Mine Health and Safety Academy plays a critical role in our ability to carry out our mission,” said Main. “MSHA, miners across the nation and the mining industry owe a tremendous debt to the academy for its invaluable contributions over the past 40 years.”
Based in Beckley, the academy provides students with a variety of different disciplines in nine different laboratories: roof control, ground control, mine emergency and mine rescue, ventilation, electrical, machinery, industrial hygiene, computer, and underground mine simulation.
On 80 acres in nine buildings, the academy includes classrooms, mine machine and simulation laboratories, mine emergency operations equipment, a publication distribution centre and residence hall. It also offers a Technical Information Center and Library containing an extensive collection of research and study materials, including periodicals, books, archival material, maps, technical reports and more than 1000 historical photos.
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
India’s major ports handled 35.9 million t of thermal coal between April and July, according to data from the Indian Ports Association (IPA), a rise of 0.76% on the same period in 2015. The ports also handled 17.4 million t of coking coal over the period, a 0.57% rise.
The Port of Paradip – India’s largest coal-handling port – saw its volumes of thermal coal fall, however, to 10.1 million t from 10.2 million t in 2015. Its coking coal throughput increased significantly to 3.6 million t – an increase of 18.0% on last year.
Overall cargo handling at Paradip – which is also the largest handler of fertilizer raw materials – rose 17.75% to 28.7 million t.
Rises in thermal coal throughput were also registered at the ports of V.O.Chidambaranar, New Mangalore, Kandla and Mormugao, where coal handling jumped by 62.7% to 1.1 million t. Coking coal throughput meanwhile rose as New Mangalore, Mormugao, Mumbai and Kandla.
Edited by Jonathan Rowland.
Early retirements of coal-fired power plants pose a risk to reliability of electricity supply, according to Black & Veatch’s latest survey of the electric power market.
The survey was conducted between 24 May and 9 June and received input from 672 qualified respondents from utility, municipality, commercial and community stakeholders. Of those that responded, 83% said early coal retirement would have an impact.
Reliability also topped the survey’s list of issues impacting the electric power industry, scoring an average of 4.56 out of five (five being “very important), just ahead of cybersecurity and environmental regulation, both of which scored 4.37.
“Can anything stop the momentum towards decreasing or removing coal entirely from the US power mix? Many would say the answer is no,” the report said. “But at the same time, the country has yet to experience a widespread, prolonged issue with reliability.”
Gas has recently overtaken coal as the largest player in the US power mix. Meanwhile, renewable generation is expected to account for 23% of the US energy mix in 2025, compared to 13% in 2015, according to the US Energy Information Administration.
“The country’s previous coal generation backbone has provided high reliability in the past,” Black & Veatch concludes. “As coal and nuclear power disappear from the baseload realm and only gas and renewables remain, many utilities see this as a worrisome scenario.”
Edited by Jonathan Rowland.
US coal company Armstrong Energy recorded a loss of US$15 million in 1Q15 on revenue of US$60.3 million in 2Q16, 35.2% lower than the same period in 2015, on the back of lower sales volumes and prices.
Coal sales fell to 1.3 million short t from 2.0 million short t over the three months to the end of June, while the average sales price fell to US$42.7 per short t from US$45.7 per short t the year before.
Also hitting Armstrong’s bottom line, its cost of coal sales per short ton rose by US$1.4 due to higher labour and benefits costs as a higher portion of Armstrong’s operations moved underground. The company also recorded an asset impairment charge of US$3.4 million in the quarter.
The company also said it would close its Parkway underground mine at the end of year when all economically recoverable coal has been depleted.
Despite the loss – which totals US$28.4 million for the first six months of the year – Armstrong believes it has enough existing liquidity to meet requirements through to the end of the year.
The company’s board of directors have also authorised an “exploration of strategic alternatives aimed at strengthening its balance sheet and improving its long-term capital structure,” the company said.
Armstrong produces low-chlorine high-sulfur coal from the Illinois Basin, controlling over 550 million short t of proven and probable reserves in western Kentucky and operating six mines.
Edited by Jonathan Rowland.
Ken MacKenzie has been appointed to the BHP Billiton board as an independent Non-executive Director, effective as of 22 September 2016.
From 2005 until 2015, MacKenzie served as the Managing Director and CEO of Amcor Ltd, a global packaging company with operations in over 40 countries. He is currently a Senior Adviser with McKinsey & Co. and serves on the Advisory Boards of American Securities Capital Partners and Adamantem Capital.
BHP Billiton Chairman, Jac Nasser, said MacKenzie’s appointment reflected the board’s commitment to a structured and rigorous approach to board succession and planning, having regard to the skills, experience and attributes required to effectively govern the business.
“Ken will be a great addition to the Board of BHP Billiton. He will bring extensive global and executive experience, and a deeply strategic approach. He has a proven track record, having led a successful company in a challenging sector for a decade,” he said.
MacKenzie’s recent appointment to the board takes the number of non-executive Directors to eleven.
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
The United Wambo Joint Venture (JV) environmental impact statement (EIS) has been submitted to the New South Wales (NSW) Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) following input from more than 700 stakeholders. The EIS will now go on public display until mid-September.
The United Wambo JV between Glencore and Peabody Energy is seeking to develop a brownfield opencast mine by combining the existing operations at Peabody’s Wambo mine with the coal reserves at United underground mine, which is majority owned by Glencore and is presently in care and maintenance.
The proposal would see the combined mining operations produce up to 10 million tpy of ROM coal over a 23 year life of mine. According to a Glencore press release, the project has been designed to “maximise the use of previously disturbed mining areas and existing infrastructure to minimise the overall disturbance, as well as impacts.”
The economic benefit to local communities would include up to 500 employees, a further 120 construction jobs and more than 100 local suppliers.
During preparation of the EIS and project development, more than 700 stakeholders were consulted, including 83 Aboriginal stakeholders and 77 residents and landowners.“
Key issues identified during the consultation are in the process of being addresses through appropriate mitigation and, where possible, changes to mine planning options,” Glencore said. “We will continue to engage with stakeholders was the project moves through the government planning process.
Edited by Jonathan Rowland.
The Australian federal government has announced grants totalling AUS$23.7 million to seven applicants under the Carbon Capture and Storage Research Development and Demonstration (CCS RD&D) Fund.
The CCS RD&D Fund provides funding for CCS projects with a particular focus on transport and storage. It supports the Australian government commitment to reducing the technical and commercial barriers to the deployment of large-scale CCS projects.
Announcing the grants, the Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Matt Canavan acknowledged the role that fossil fuels will continue to play in future and the vital role CCS would play to Australia’s emission reduction goal.
“Both Australia and international energy forecasts show that fossil fuels will have a significant share of the energy mix over the next few decades,” said Canavan. “I expect CCS will make an important contribution to the government’s emission reduction goals.”
A number of coal-related projects were including in the grants, including Glencore Carbon Transport and Storage Co.’s (CTSCo) integrated Surat Basin CCS project, which received the largest grant of AUS$8.775 million.
CTSCo’s project incorporates the design and construction of injection facilities at Glencore’s Glenhaven property for the injection and monitoring or carbon dioxide source from a post-combustion plant at a Queensland power station. The project is also supports by the coal industry’s ACALET fund.
“This is an important development for the project and demonstrates the continuing contribution by Glencore and the coal industry to R&D of low-emission technology solutions for fossil fuels that can be scaled up safely and commercially around the world,” said Mick Buffier, a Group Executive at Glencore’s global coal business.
Also receiving funding is a project at AGL Loy Yang lignite-fired power plant, which will see a post-combustion CO2 capture plant operated in two 5000 hr experimental campaigns. Japanese company, IHI, will supply the carbon capture plant.
The project is also supported through Brown Coal Innovation Australia, a not-for-profit company that promotes innovation and emissions reduction technologies in the lignite sector.
Edited by Jonathan Rowland.
Paringa Resources has appointed, Rick McCormick, a highly respected and experienced US coal executive, as a Non-Executive Director of Paringa, effective immediately.
McCormick has spent the last 20 years of his career specialising in large-scale coal preparation plants and materials handling systems in the US, including the Illinois Basin. He has over 30 years’ of experience in coal preparation and coal preparation equipment, including operations, process and material handling design, construction, and process equipment design and application.
He was previously Chief Executive Officer of DRA Taggart (the US operating arm of DRA Global) a large and highly respected coal mining services firm with significant experience in the Illinois Basin having conducted operational and construction activities of many coal handling and preparation plants, including those owned by Alliance Resource Partners, LP. McCormick is also a consultant to Concentrate Capital Partners, the fund management and investment arm of DRA Global.
Commenting on his appointment, McCormick said: “In my roles as CEO of DRA Taggart and Taggart Global, I led a company that completed major coal projects in the United States and around the world. I have seen just about every major new coal mine in the US over the last 20 years, and in my opinion, the Buck Creek Mine Complex is one of the best undeveloped coal projects in the United States. Having spent the most part of my career designing and building equipment, coal preparation plants, and materials handling systems for the US coal sector, I’m delighted to be joining Paringa as we begin development of the low CAPEX Buck Creek No.2 mine, followed by the No.1 mine, to ultimately become a 5.6 million tpa producer of high-quality coal in the Illinois Basin.”
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
Akhil Joshi has been appointed as Director on the Board of Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL). He has assumed charge as Director (Power) of the Maharatna Public Sector engineering and manufacturing enterprise.
He was previously Executive Director (MSX & HR) at BHEL’s Power Sector Headquarters in New Delhi. As Director (Power), Joshi will be responsible for marketing, erection, commissioning, overall management of power projects and the after-market business for the company.
Joshi has a diverse experience of over 36 years, working in major segments of BHEL. In his previous role as Executive Director of the Corporate Technology Management (CTM) group of the company, he was responsible for overseeing company-wide technology acquisition and assimilation from world leaders, in-house product development, forging strategic alliances, management of BHEL’s various joint ventures and Mergers & Acquisitions (M&As).
He also held various leadership positions in Spares and Services business of Power Sector, Technology Licensing and International Operations divisions of BHEL. As head of Technology Licensing, he successfully led negotiations to acquire key technologies from leading OEMs across the globe. The acquisition of these technologies has been crucial for the company in maintaining its competitive edge and expanding its range of offerings.
During his tenure at International Operations division, he played a key role in multifold growth of the company’s business in highly competitive overseas markets, such as the Middle East, South East Asia, Africa, the CIS regions, the Mediterranean and Europe. He successfully pioneered BHEL’s maiden entry into the utility segments of various overseas markets, such as Iraq, Vietnam, Belarus, Bangladesh, Cyprus and Egypt. His experience also includes stints at the Project Management Group (PMG) of the Power Sector and at the company’s Heavy Electrical Equipment Plant (HEEP) at Haridwar.
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
Vivek Bhatia has been selected as the new CEO of thyssenkrupp Asia Pacific effective 1 October 2016.
He succeeds Dr Stefan Schmitt, who will move to thyssenkrupp AG as Head of Human Resources Strategy, also effective 1 October.
Vivek Bhatia has been Head of Strategy, Markets and Development at the Regional Headquarters in Singapore since May 2014, before which, as part of the Boston Consulting Group for several years, he advised industrial businesses on their strategy and operations, in markets across the world and as part of Engineers India Ltd. gained extensive experience in the Oil & Gas Industry.
The Asia Pacific region includes several important growth markets for thyssenkrupp: large, comparatively well-established economies such as Australia and Japan, but also a large number of markets of varying sizes offering dynamic growth such as Indonesia and Vietnam. thyssenkrupp generated sales of €2 billion with customers in the region in the past 2014/2015 fiscal year and employs more than 4100 people there.
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
With more than 40 years of experience in the mining and tunnelling machinery business IBS Industriemaschinen-Bergbau-Service GmbH has developed a portfolio of products and services ‘Made in Germany’ tailored to the needs of the industry. IBS will exhibit at MINExpo 2016 in Las Vegas and will present its innovative solutions, such as iRoadheader, and more in the German Pavilion at booth 1373.
IBS has an excellent reputation for its well-established range of compact roadheading machines from 28 t – 45 t suitable for galleries from 10m2 to 25 m2. In recent years, these have been developed further to include state-of-the-art control and monitoring systems as well as a wide range of enhancements to improve safety and performance under the most arduous conditions. To meet the growing demand for improved safety, better working conditions and greater performance, IBS has become a ‘one-stop shop’ for customers looking for package solutions. The typical heading face is fraught with risks, such as gas or rock bursts, gas explosions, rock falls, dust, heat & humidity and space restraints.
Together with strategic partners, IBS has developed its Inmine/iRoadheader package of solutions with teleremote operator assistance enabling driverless operation of the machine from at least 250 m away from the face in a safe, clean and comfortable environment.
The heart of the package is a radar-based 3D profile control and navigation system developed in joint venture with Indurad GmbH – the industrial radar specialists. Several such packages are already in operation. Four such systems were further enhanced with gas drilling, roofbolting, muck haulage, remote data storage and transmission, condition monitoring, ventilation and dust filtration to form a complete ‘Outburst Management Package’ (OMP) to protect the operators from the considerable risk of gas outbursts.
All the equipment was compliant with the ATEX directive. All the iRoadheader packages are available as retrofits both on IBS equipment and on third party machines – new or used. “iRoadheader is already in operation on a number of machines and has also already proven its reliability in an outburst situation”, said Bruce Field, Sales Director of IBS. “Improving the conditions and safety for the workers at the face underground as well as finding optimal solutions with a high cost-benefit ratio are of prime importance for us.”
When it comes to getting the best out of the equipment, IBS offers excellent after sales service including qualified technical support, long time availability of spare parts and components, field service, planned maintenance as well as repairs and overhauls. IBS has a proven track record for high-quality service. With many years of experience, extensive in-house fabrication and machining facilities as well as highly experienced and competent personnel, IBS is in a unique position of being able to offer such services both for its own equipment and third party machines.
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
Bankrupt US coal company, Peabody Energy, has received approval of its business plan by the company’s debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing lenders. The business plan forms the basis for the reorganisation plant that Peabody expects to submit before the end of the year.
Underpinning the business plan is an assumption that US and seaborne thermal coal demand, as well as metallurgical coal demand, will grow between 2016 and 2021, allowing Peabody’s coal sales to rise from 168 million short t in 2016 to 184 – 197 million short t in 2021.
US thermal coal demand is assumed to grow 20 – 25 million short t between 2016 and 2012, as increasing capacity utilisation at remaining coal-fired power plant offsets expected plant retirements. Seaborne thermal coal demand is expected to rise by 50 – 60 million metric t on the back of new generation capacity in the Asia-Pacific region, while metallurgical coal demand is expected to increase by 50 – 55 million metric t driven by China and India.
Despite the assumed growth in demand and sales, Peabody’s coal sales in 2021 will still remain under the 228.8 million short t recorded in 2015. The last time Peabody reported coal sales below 200 million short t was 2003, when the company sold 182.2 million short t of coal.
Over the five years to 2012, the company anticipates revenues to remain largely stable between US$4.4 billion and US$4.6 billion. EBITDAR is expected to grow, however, by 60 – 65% from 2016 levels. “Financial performance is highly sensitive to changes in assumptions as described in the plan,” the company admitted.
In terms of what the company may look like, in the US the company will focus on its assets in the Powder River Basin and Illinois Basin, which “continue to create value in the face of reduced coal demand”. Its mines in the southwest and Colorado is will run for cash.
In Australia, the company said it anticipated “a smaller but more profitable platform focused on high-quality produces and/or top tier assets to capitalise on higher growth in Asia.” This will results in a fall in metallurgical coal production in Australia over the five years to 2021. The company also affirmed its intention to place the Burton mine into care and maintenance later this year.
Edited by Jonathan Rowland.
The reliability of Australia’s electricity supply could be put at risk should the country withdraw the 1360 MW of coal-fired power necessary to meet its COP21 commitment. Modelling from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) suggests “potential reliability breaches” from as early as 2019 – 2020 in the case of South Australia and from 2025 in New South Wales and Victoria.
“In this scenario, the majority of coal-fired generation withdrawals are assumed to come from Victoria, which would reduce the state’s generation output to support South Australia and New South Wales via the interconnected network,” said AEMO Chief Operating Officer, Mike Cleary.
The reliability breaches are most likely to occur when demand is high in late afternoon and early evening and wind and rooftop solar generation is low.
“This is a reality call from AEMO,” said Greg Evans, Executive Director – Coal at the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA). “Policy decisions that lead to a shift away from affordable and accessible electricity will have negative economic consequences and impact on current living standards.”
According to Evans, the “best option to ensure ongoing reliability of the national electricity market is through using the latest high-efficiency low-emissions (HELE) coal-fired generational plants.” HELE technologies help to boost the efficiencies of coal-fired plants, reducing the amount of coal required and reducing CO2 emissions as a result.
“Australia does need to consider all electricity generation options and governments should not mandate the composition of the energy mix, rather reliable, low emissions power generation must be provided by the lowest cost energy sources available,” concluded Evans. “That approach will likely result in a mix of energy sources, including gas, renewables, but underpinned by HELE coal generation.”
Edited by Jonathan Rowland.
Russian ports handled 186.4 million t of dry bulk commodities in the seven months to July, according to data from the Federal Agency of Marine and River Transport, 9% higher than the same period in 2015. Liquid cargo handling also increased – by 3% to 219.6 million t.
Dry bulk shipments through Russia’s Far East ports showed the biggest rise, up 15% to 63.5 million t. Growth in shipments through the Azov-Black Sea region – Russia’s key grain producing region – was not far behind at 14% to 55.5 million t.
Arctic ports saw an 8% rise in dry bulk shipments to reach 14.9 million t, while dry bulk shipments through the Baltic ports grew just 1% to 50.7 million t.
The Caspian Sea ports were the only ones to show a fall in dry bulk shipments – and shipments overall. Dry bulk handling was down 15.9% to just 1.59 million t, while its liquid cargo handling was down 0.7% to 79.2 million t.
Russia’s Far Eastern ports handle the country’s coal exports to the Asia Pacific region, while its shipments to Europe go through the Baltic and Murmansk in the Arctic.
Edited by Jonathan Rowland.
The New South Wales (NSW) Department of Industry’s Resources Regulator has accepted enforcement undertakings from KEPCO Bylong Australia and WorleyParsons Services. The action comes after the regulator investigated allegation that the companies provided false information relating to proposed exploration activities associated with the Bylong coal project.
According to the department, both companies have acknowledged that six photographs supplied as part of a Surface Disturbance Notice Application were not photographs of the proposed locations and have agreed to enforceable undertakings in lieu of continued prosecutions.
The maximum penalty for providing false or misleading information was AUS$55 000 at the time of the alleged offence. The undertaking also requires both companies to pay the investigation and legal costs for more than AUS$94 000, to enhance their compliance, audit and training programmes and to provide additional education and support on regulatory obligations.
“These cases serve as a timely reminder to authorisation holder and their agents with they must have systems in place to ensure the accuracy of information provided to the Department of Resources and Energy,” said NSW Resources Regulator’s Chief Compliance Officer Lee Shearer.
Edited by Jonathan Rowland.
Corsa Coal announced a more-than halving of its revenues in 2Q16 compared to the same period in 2015. The company reported revenues of US$18.7 million in the three months to the end of June, compared to US$39.8 million the year before, as sales slumped 179 million short t to 306 million short t.
The company was cash-flow positive on its Northern Appalachian (NAPP) metallurgical and Central Appalachian (CAPP) coals, however, reporting cash margins of US$1.39 per short t and US$2.84 per short t, respectively. The comes on the back of cost reduction initiatives that saw the company’s NAPP variable costs fall 11% from US$66.66 per short t to US$59.35 per short t.
NAPP thermal coal production costs rose substantially to US$46.1 per short t from US$22.7 per short t in 2015, resulting in a negative cash margin per short ton sold of US$2.5.
CAPP margins remained positive despite a significant increase in unit production costs that came on the back of reduction in production levels.
Looking ahead, however, and the company was more positive. “The effect of higher export prices [for metallurgical coal] has already be realised in our 3Q16 shipments and will favourably impact profitability for the remainder of 2016,” said Corsa’s CEO, George Dethlefson. “At our CAPP division […] production levels have the potential to increase based upon ongoing thermal and industrial coal market opportunities.”
The company’s updated full-year guidance now stands at total sales of 1.35 and 1.65 million short t compared to original guidance of 1.525 million – 1.825 million short t on the back of a cut to CAPP volumes to 0.5 – 0.6 million short t from 0.675 – 0.775 million short t.
Edited by Jonathan Rowland.
Koos van der Steenhoven has been appointed Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Havenbedrijf Amsterdam NV by the Municipal Executive of the City of Amsterdam on the nomination of the Supervisory Board of Havenbedrijf Amsterdam NV, a state-owned public limited company with the City of Amsterdam as sole shareholder.
Van der Steenhoven succeeds René Smit who stepped down as Chairman due to his appointment as Chairman of ZorgSaam health care service provider in the Zeelandic Flanders region of the Dutch Province of Zeeland on 1 December 2015. Vice Chairman Dook van den Boer has served as interim Chairman of the Supervisory Board in the intervening period.
Dook van den Boer said: “We are delighted Koos van der Steenhoven will be joining the Supervisory Board. He is an experienced director who is also very familiar with the environment of a port.”
Koos van der Steenhoven will continue to act as an adviser at ABDTOPConsult, which is part of the Dutch Ministry of Internal Affairs and Kingdom Relations, until 1 September 2018. He previously served in positions including Secretary General at the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and at the Dutch Ministry of Internal Affairs and Kingdom Relations.
Van der Steenhoven was as a member of the Executive Board of the Port of Rotterdam Authority responsible for port innovation from 1992 to 1996. Van der Steenhoven holds two supervisory positions. He is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Netherlands Literature Museum and the Children’s Literature Museum in The Hague and Vice Chairman of the Board of Supervisory Directors of the World Museum in Rotterdam.
Koos van der Steenhoven commented: “I am very much looking forward to serving as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of such an outstanding organisation as Havenbedrijf Amsterdam NV. Amsterdam was my home for many years and I have a special connection with the city. Returning to Amsterdam and working at Port of Amsterdam is tremendously inspiring to me. I am delighted to have the opportunity in this supervisory role to contribute towards enabling Port of Amsterdam to meet the challenging future that lies ahead.”
Westmoreland Coal Co. has appointed Jeffrey S. Stein as an independent director to the company’s board of directors effective 9 August 2016, to serve until the next annual election of directors.
Stein will serve on both the audit, and the nominating and corporate governance committees of the board. This appointment increases the number of directors from nine to 10 and fully satisfies the terms of the agreement reached with Venor Capital Management LP in March 2016 regarding Board expansion.
“Jeffrey brings an outstanding history of accomplishments as an executive and board member,” said Jan P. Packwood, Chairman of the Board of Westmoreland Coal Company. “We will benefit from Jeffrey’s contributions in his areas of expertise including capital allocation and structure, operating and financial performance, risk management, and investor communications.”
Stein is Founder and Managing Partner of Stein Advisors LLC, a financial advisory firm that provides consulting services to institutional investors. He is also Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Power Capital Advisors LLC, a financial advisory and merchant banking firm focused on energy, power and commodity-related project development and restructuring investments.
Stein currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Ambac Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMBC) and as a director on the boards of Dynegy Inc. (NYSE: DYN), MLR Petroleum LLC (private) and Granite Ridge Holdings, LLC (private). Mr. Stein currently serves as a board observer on the board of TORM plc (NASDAQ CPH: TRMD A). He previously served as a director on the boards of US Power Generating Company (private) and KGen Power Corporation (private).
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
In 1996, a team of engineers from Warman International in Australia got together to develop the ‘next big thing’ in hydrocyclones. What they came up with was revolutionary.
“When the first Cavex hydrocyclone was introduced, the industry was changed forever,” says Debra Switzer, Weir Minerals Global Product Manager for Cavex® hydrocyclones.
The unique inlet geometry removed all sharp angles from the feed chamber, allowing slurry to move through the hydrocyclone smoothly. This greatly reduced wear, while increasing its efficiency. The new generation of hydrocyclones easily delivered up to three times the wear life of the old technology.
The streamline feed chamber is still in use today. When Weir Group acquired Warman International in 1999, it brought with it a myriad of improvements and modifications designed to ensure Cavex hydrocyclones provide excellent wear life along with maximum productivity, regardless of the application.
In 2010, Weir Group acquired Linatex, which brought with it a range of highly specialised dewatering hydrocyclones and superior rubber products for lining. This was significant for Cavex hydrocyclones because it enhanced the portfolio and improved the hydrocyclone wear rates.
Last year, Weir Minerals introduced the Cavex 700CVX hydrocyclone, designed specifically to meet the demands of Weir Minerals’ customers and which has been proven to achieve up to 50% higher throughput capacity than other competitor cyclones in the 26 in. dia. range due to its larger inlet and vortex finder configuration.
Weir Minerals is set to redefine hydrocyclone efficiency again with the development of the new Synertrex monitoring system. The latest technology in remote monitoring systems allows users to obtain operational data in real time, to ensure optimum performance and efficiency of their mill circuit.
Today, there are more than 26 000 Cavex hydrocyclones operating throughout the globe, making up more than a quarter of the global market share. Every single one of these hydrocyclones is backed by the extensive Weir Minerals service team.
Edited by Jonathan Rowland.
Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Ltd (MHPS), a leading thermal power plant constructor, combines the business operations subsidiaries in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) area to create an integrated unit with an extensive competence in all thermal power generating fields.
The head of the company and new CEO will be Oliver Klitzke. The 53 year-old engineer was appointed as CEO on 1 August. He brings to MHPS Group a wealth of past experience, gained in senior roles within the power systems sector both in EMEA and Asia-Pacific regions.
“The Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Europe London and Duisburg teams will in future operate as a single entity, MHPS-EU. Combined, they can support their customers with comprehensive know-how within the thermal power generation fields.” This is Klitzke’s core belief.
The company will continue the thermal power plant business (principally in gas and coal-fired technology) and will also have a stronger offering to customers in energy plant construction brought about by additional products, leaner structures and more efficient project management. Some 2000 staff are employed in MHPS-EU companies in EMEA area.
Klitzke is confident in his approach to the task and indicated: “We can meet a wide variety of customer requirements from small-scale to large-scale gas turbines, construction and after-sales service, delivering truly state-of-the-art utility power plants. This is the great strength we have in the MHPS group.”
Klitzke added that MHPS-EU in EMEA area has excellent business references, a highly motivated workforce and as a regionally aligned and European-managed company would support its customers in Europe’s changing energy landscape while exploring new opportunities in more developing energy markets in Eastern Europe and North Africa. He said: “The EMEA unit is an important mainstay in achieving our aim of becoming No. 1 globally in the construction of thermal power plants.”
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
When a bucket elevator manufacturer was experiencing reliability problems with its backstop clutches, resulting in intensive maintenance and frequent replacement, it turned to Tsubaki for a solution. Replacing the trapped roller design with a sprag clutch delivered higher torque capacity and longer life.
Bucket elevators provide a simple but effective mechanism of hauling and lifting flowable or semi-flowable bulk materials, including grain, fertilizer, foods, wastes and minerals, often into storage silos.
Their versatility means they can be easily tailored for use with challenging products, including fragile or abrasive materials. But in all cases, safety is a prime concern, and the main shaft that drives the belt will always be fitted with a backstop clutch. This enables driving of the bucket in one direction, but ensures there is no backwards slippage in the event of a drive problem.
The inherent weight of the bulk material, combined with their often abrasive nature and the fact that the bucket elevators are often operating outdoors and exposed to the weather, all combine to create a harsh operating environment. The high levels of torque, plus the inherent dust, debris, rain, sleet, snow and temperature extremes all take their toll on the drive train.
For one leading manufacturer of bucket elevators, the backstop clutch in particular was causing reliability problems. High running temperatures were leading to early failure of the product and while safety was never compromised, it was certainly leading to increased maintenance requirements and regular clutch replacements.
Looking for a solution, the company called in Tsubaki’s engineers, who analysed the problem and recommended that the trapped roller backstop clutch be replaced by a Tsubaki BSEU sprag style alternative. Designed specifically for use on the low-speed shaft of inclined and bucket conveyors, the BSEU backstop cam clutch provides the safest reverse rotation prevention qualities available.
Trapped roller clutches feature an inner race with ramps and individually sprung rollers. The rollers rotate during freewheeling in the drive direction, but in the reverse direction the rollers lock against the outer race and inner race ramps to ensure instantaneous backstopping. The sprag clutch provides an alternative design, where cam-shaped sprags separate the inner and outer races. The angle of the sprags allows movement in the forward direction, but provides instant backstopping in the other.
The Tsubaki BSEU features an increased number of sprags, which enables greater torque transmission in relation to the clutch’s size and weight when compared with a trapped roller clutch, resulting in extended fatigue life. Further, overheating when the motor is idling is lower, which helps maintain lubrication by means of grease instead of oil and so improves the clutch’s wear life and ensures less maintenance.
A further feature of the BSEU is its sealing arrangement. V-ring seals are fitted as standard to offer the highest level of protection against dust. Even higher specification sealing is available for applications where protection is needed from the most extreme environmental conditions, such as fly ash, coal dust, splash water and many others.
Being dimensionally similar to other styles of backstop clutch, the BSEU offered the elevator manufacturer an easy upgrade path over its existing clutch. Fitted to the latest models of bucket elevators, the BSEU clutches are delivering safe operation, higher torque capacity, faster operating speeds, less maintenance and longer life.
Mountainside Coal Co.’s (MCC) sales revenues were hit in 2Q16 by lower volumes and yields of its speciality low-ash stoker coal from the Flat Creek coal mine in April and May.
Highwall mining operations were suspended in May as elevated iron levels were encountered in intermittent pockets of the coal, making the coal product unsuitable for sale as a premium silica-grade stoking coal. Highwall operations restarted in June at a new section of the mine.
Sales revenues were also hit by ongoing low prices for coal fines generated from the production of the stoker coal and by relatively high inventory levels at the end of June, a result of shipment timing to customers.
More positively, the company did secure an initial increase in the sales price of its stoker coal. MCC can supply up to 13 000 short tpm under its current contract.
Over the coming months, the company plans to increase its production volumes towards this target “in the most cost-effective manner” and to replace production from the Flat Creek mine, which will be exhausted by October.
To this end, company management has continued to explore existing leases and additional areas containing coal seams that are capable of replacing Flat Creek production.
MCC is majority-owned by White Energy Co.
Edited by Jonathan Rowland.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded grants to six research organisations to develop and use low-cost air pollution sensor technology, while engaging communities to learn about their local air quality.
“Through these projects, scientists and communities will join together to develop and test new low-cost, portable, easy-to-use ways to measure air pollution,” said Thomas A. Burke, EPA science advisor and deputy assistant administrator of EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “This research will provide tools communities can use to understand air pollution in their neighbourhoods and improve public health.”
While recent advances in technology have led to the development of low-cost air pollution sensors, they have not been widely tested, especially under field conditions. These grants will help fund research projects that explore how scientific data can be effectively gathered and used by communities to learn about local air quality.
The grantees will also study the accuracy of data produced by sensors and sensor networks. For example, comparing high-quality data from existing monitoring technology that are used to support air quality regulations.
The grants, which are funded through the EPA’s Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, are being awarded to the following:
KROHNE Inc. will showcase a wide range of its industry-leading mining products at MINExpo International 2016, to be held 26 – 28 September in Las Vegas. KROHNE experts will be on hand in booth 29713 with experts from Equivalent Controls Corp. to demonstrate the capabilities of the OPTIFLUX 4100 Electromagnetic Flowmeter, IFC 300F Signal Converter, OPTIWAVE 6300 level meter, OPTIFLEX 1300 Guided Radar Contact Level Meter, OPTIBAR 5060 C Pressure Transmitter, H250 M40 and DK800 Variable Area Flowmeters, OPTIMASS 7000 Coriolis Mass Flowmeter, and OPTISWIRL 4200 Vortex Flowmeter for applications in the mining industry.
On display at booth 29713 will be the OPTIFLUX 4100 Electromagnetic Flowmeter, which provides an accurate record of fluid moved, and can be independently verified to validate the measurements. With its robust fully welded construction, full bore pipe construction, absence of moving parts, and wear-resistant liner materials, the OPTIFLUX 4100 is an excellent choice for demanding applications in harsh environments or with aggressive and abrasive media such as those in mining applications.
The IFC 300F Signal Converter is designed to measure the flow velocity, conductivity, volume and mass flow of electrically conductive liquid media with consistently high performance. The signal converter can be combined with any measuring sensor, making widely applicable to a range of mining applications. The ICF 300F delivers high measuring accuracy and long-term stability of ±0.15% of measured value ± 1 mm/s, and features integrated temperature and conductivity measurement.
The OPTIWAVE 6300 on display is a radar instrument for accurate measurement of solids level, ideal for measuring powder, granulates and bulk solids in buffer silos, hoppers, bulk storage containers, and on conveyor belts. This product offers fast and easy installation and start-up, and eliminates the need for an antenna aiming. Unique drop antenna greatly improves performance in dusty or coating solids applications without the need for purging or cleaning.
Also on display will be the OPTIFLEX 1300 Guided Radar Contact Level Meter, OPTIBAR 5060 C Pressure Transmitter, H250 M40 and DK800 Variable Area Flowmeters, OPTIMASS 7000 Coriolis Mass Flowmeter, and OPTISWIRL 4200 Vortex Flowmeter, all of which are suited for use in mining applications.
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
The Indian Port of Paradip handled a record 8.06 million t of cargo in July, including 1.23 million t of imported metallurgical coal, according to the Ministry of Shipping. Since April, the port has handled 28.65 million t of cargo compared to 24.34 million t over the same period in 2015.
The import of 1.23 million t of metallurgical marks a record quantity for Paradip, the first time the port has handed more than 1 million t of metallurgical coal in a month.
The use of a dual shiploader at the mechanical coal handling plant has helped to boost the speed and efficiency of coal handling at the port. This has enabled thermal coal ships docking at Paradip to be sailed within 24 hrs.
On 9 May, loading of the MV Paola Bottiglieri achieved a record load rated of 4233 tph with a total of 84 656 t of coal loaded in 20 hrs. “Such loading rate […] is the best among all Indian major and non-major ports,” the ministry said.
Meanwhile the MV Ocean Oceanus unloaded 46 000 t in a day – a record at Paradip. The coal was imported by Bhusan Power & Steel and was handled by Orissa Stevedores.
Cargo handling will be boosted further with the lengthening of its multi-purpose berth to allow the docking of panamax size ships.
Edited by Jonathan Rowland.
Uncertainty is the main driver in the US coal power market, according to Black & Veatch’s latest survey of the electric power market, noting the contested regulatory environment and the upcoming presidential election in November.
The survey was conducted between 24 May and 9 June and received input from 672 qualified respondents from utility, municipality, commercial and community stakeholders. Of those that responded, 66.2% said their organisation has coal-fired assets in their generation fleet.
When asked what strategies were being considered for their coal-fired assets, 32% of respondents said no changes were planned, while 29.9% said that they planned to retire their coal-fired generation and 25.8% said they were planning to repower or repurpose the site in the next five year.
Even among those that are planning to retire their coal-fired assets, however, uncertainty is still the main driver with about two-thirds saying they don’t plan to do anything in the next five years. Of those, 20.7% said it would be more than a decade before action was taken. In contrast, only 13.8% said they would retire plants in 2016 or 2017.
At the same time, many owners have already closed older and smaller plants and are now wanting to get the most – even the full life cycle –out of their remaining fleet.
“Owners have generally invested heavily in the remaining coal plants (usually to meet air quality standards) and they will hang on to those remaining plants for as long as they can – legally or politically speaking,” said Black & Veatch.
Edited by Jonathan Rowland.
Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) has been in operation for 40 years and is one of the leading coal export terminals in the world.
SGS in South Africa has opened a new coal laboratory at the terminal.
This new 2203 m2, state-of-the-art laboratory is more than twice the size of the previous laboratory and will support efficient coal preparation, sampling and certification. The new laboratory is designed to service RBCT’s requirements up to 110 million tpa of coal and will improve sampling and testing turnaround time by 25%.
Fred Herren, SGS, COO Africa, said that as far as coal sampling is concerned, this laboratory sets a new benchmark. “We want this lab to be a showcase. Special emphasis has been placed on new technology and a high quality of execution.”
SGS assisted with the design and build and will provide operation and maintenance of the laboratory, ensuring commitment to increased throughput capacity and improved turnaround times. Sampling and certification will be provided for 55 000 samples per year from rail consignments and shipments coming in and out of RBCT.
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
TerraCom has finalised a recent US$1 million capital raising as the company looks to fund its expansion plans. The company recently announced its acquisition of the Blair Athol coal mine in Queensland for AUS$1 from Rio Tinto.
It also plans to expand its Baruun Noyon Uul metallurgical coal in Mongolia and is exploring the acquisition of another metallurgical coal mine in Indonesia.
“This placement is one of the building blocks in our multi-faceted funding strategy”, said TerraCom Executive Chairman, Cameron McRae.
The funds came through a US$1 million placement to Hong Kong-based private investment company, Sea Honour Ltd. Sea Honour is owned by Anthony Steains, CEO of Comprador Ltd and former Head of Blackstone Advisory Partners in Asia and Global Head of Metals and Mining Coverage.
“TerraCom is an exciting emerging mining company with an impressive asset portfolio and project pipeline in a coal market cycle that we believe has turned,” said Stearins.
Final issue price was US$0.0166. The new shares will be issued to Sea Honour in due course.
Edited by Jonathan Rowland.
Based on results from the US Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Annual Energy Outlook 2016 (AEO2016) Reference case and International Energy Outlook 2016, the EIA projects that the North American share of energy generation from renewable and nuclear energy sources will grow from 38% in 2015 to 45% in 2025. This projection assumes the Clean Power Plan (CPP) is upheld and takes effect in the US. A recent agreement among Canada, Mexico, and the US established a goal of 50% of electricity generation from clean energy sources by 2025.
Source: US Energy Information Administration, Annual Energy Outlook 2016 Reference case, International Energy Outlook 2016.
The trilateral agreement goal includes nuclear, renewables, and energy efficiency as eligible sources of clean energy, but it does not specify a baseline for assessing energy efficiency, which has been improving over time. The EIA projections discussed here focus solely on electricity generation from nuclear and renewable sources as a share of total generation. Substantial increases in demand-side energy efficiency are included in the EIA’s projection for overall electricity demand, but explicit accounting of energy efficiency contributions are not projected. Moreover, these values reflect the Reference case projections; other assumptions for fuel prices, technology costs, and policies could affect the electricity generation mix.
Electricity generation in the US currently represents more than 80% of total generation in North America. The EIA’s AEO2016 Reference case assumes that implementation of the CPP will begin in 2022. The extension of certain tax credits, significant cost reductions, and recognition of future CPP requirements result in a large increase in renewable generation between 2015 and 2025. US coal-fired generation is expected to decline by 13% between 2015 and 2025 in the AEO Reference case, while natural gas-fired generation increases by 4%.
Source: US Energy Information Administration, International Energy Outlook 2016.
Canada’s power generation was already met by 80% clean energy in 2015, mainly because of Canada’s extensive hydroelectric capacity. Canada plans to further increase its hydroelectric capability by 2025, in addition to increasing wind and solar capacity by 2025. The EIA’s International Energy Outlook 2016 (IEO2016) projects reduced coal use in Canada between 2015 and 2025, consistent with Canadian government plans to gradually phase out the use of existing coal plants. However, the combined share of renewables and nuclear in Canada’s total generation is expected to fall to 75% by 2025 because of increases in natural gas use and projected retirements of existing nuclear capacity. Overall, Canada’s generation currently represents about 13% of the North American total generation.
Mexico accounted for about 6% of total North American electricity generation in 2015. The country has announced national energy goals and is undergoing electricity market reform to help encourage the development of new, low-carbon capacity expansion. Mexico is projected to increase generation from hydroelectric, wind, and other renewables and to reduce generation from fossil fuels. By 2025, Mexico’s combined nuclear and renewables share of total electricity generation is expected to be 29%.
Edited from source: EIA by Harleigh Hobbs
ThoroughTec Simulation, the world’s leading supplier of advanced, mine workforce training technologies, will be ‘breaking new ground’ at MINExpo in Las Vegas, this September. The company plans to reveal a number of exciting new products that emphasise its commitment to providing mines with the most powerful workforce performance development technologies available on the market.
“The star of the show will undoubtedly be our brand new, CYBERMINE Workforce Excellence (WX) platform, or ‘WEX’ as we like to call it,” said Richard Bellengere, head of operations at ThoroughTec. “This first-of-class system will revolutionise the way mines approach Workforce performance management, finally providing decision makers and managers with an end-to-end tool for the continuous, scientific measurement and improvement of heavy equipment operator performance.”
Also on display will be the latest version of ThoroughTec’s hugely popular CYBERMINE Full Mission Simulator (FMS) System. “These advanced, fourth generation operator training simulators remain the cornerstone of our integrated training system, allowing us to directly influence workforce performance by shaping operator behaviour in a highly-realistic yet safe, cost-effective and controlled environment,” noted Bellengere.
ThoroughTec has also confirmed rumours that there will be a second CYBERMINE FMS exhibit at the show, this one on the OJSC ‘BELAZ’ stand, where the world’s first and only BELAZ 75135 haul truck driver training simulator will be available for demonstration. BELAZ is a major manufacturer of mining equipment, including the world’s largest capacity mine truck: the 7571. “This simulator is the latest in a string of new developments and features some very sexy new features, including the CYBERMINE Motion Tracking System and Mission Planner,” said Bellengere.
Back on ThoroughTec’s stand, and the enhanced CYBERMINE Operator Familiarisation Trainer (OFT) will be available for demonstration, along with some of their latest E-Learning courses. Both of these product lines are supplementary to the core FMS system and ensure that students properly acquire the foundational knowledge and psycho-motor skills necessary to excel in their chosen roles. “E-learning systems have evolved considerably over the years and our in-house, Training Systems’ team prides themselves in staying ahead of the market as new technologies and methods emerge,” said Bellengere.
“We believe in the power of technology and the potential of people,” said CEO, Justin Collins. “It’s this philosophy that drives us to develop fantastic new products like CYBERMINE WX, tools that harness that power and unlock that potential.”
Potential customers will be able to experience these advanced products hands-on at the Las Vegas Convention Centre, Las Vegas between 26-28 September in the North Hall, Stand 808.
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
SOBO® iQ controls are now accessible from both Android and iOS mobile devices. This new level of convenient accessibility is significant, as most SOBO iQ controls are installed in tough, hard-to-reach, isolated areas, such as underground or overland mining conveyors.
Users can remotely access and monitor their Svendborg Brakes SOBO® iQ controls by simply downloading the CERHOST app for Android mobile phones or tablets, available from Microsoft on GooglePlay. The iCERHOST app for use with iPhones and iPads is available via the iTunes App Store. Once downloaded, the app can be easily accessed using the Remote Display tool on any computer.
The SOBO iQ main menu allows users to access all control functions, including start-up, brake ramps, parking, HPU and diagnostics.
The SOBO iQ combines various technologies to provide significant flexibility, safety and durability on mine conveyors and other heavy-duty industrial applications.
The SOBO iQ features three-state digital modulation and a dual-loop PI control (pressure/speed). The pressure control is based not only on speed but also on deceleration. SOBO iQ controls braking torque by comparing a preset speed ramp with actual conveyor speed feedback. The unit can provide different braking profiles for different operational scenarios. Advanced functions including independent over-speed monitoring, rollback, gearbox and out-of-band monitoring are included.
The SOBO iQ provides only the torque needed for a safe, controlled stop. The controller can be used with a combination of brake types, mounted on both the high and low speed sides of the conveyor drive. Up to four HPUs can be connected to each controller.
Edited by Jonathan Rowland.
Mississippi Power and the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff have reached an agreement on a portion of the company’s 2016 Environmental Compliance Overview Plan related to the Plant Daniel scrubber project.
According to the company, the plan will result in cleaner air for southeast Mississippi.
The staff agreed that the costs related to the project were reasonable.
The Plant Daniel scrubber enables the company to provide cleaner air for the region, through removing sulfur dioxide and other emissions from the use of coal to provide customers with constantly available electricity. It was placed into service and has been reliably serving Mississippi Power customers since November 2015.
Mississippi Power was granted a certificate to design, construct and operate a scrubber at Plant Daniel in 2012. The scrubber is the most significant piece of the company’s overall compliance plan. The remainder of the plan outlines environmental compliance projects at Plants Watson, Daniel and Greene County is scheduled to be addressed on 17 August.
