"Coal is at the forefront as the US seeks to become a leader in the production of rare earth minerals," said Miller.

US coal miners shed about 7,000 jobs in 2020 as the industry only partially recovered from disruptions tied to the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The unexpected closure last week of the Komatsu manufacturing plant in Bluefield, Va., is certainly disappointing. Dozens of good-paying jobs held by area residents were suddenly lost.

US coking coal prices were largely flat at the end of this week as Chinese buying continues to ease ahead of the lunar new year holiday, while European mills remain focused on term discussions.

Forecast generation from coal-fired power plants will increase by 14% in 2021, after declining by 20% in 2020.

Chinese rescue teams say it might be more than two weeks until they can save a group of miners trapped hundreds of meters underground.