The Coal Markets Report has been updated for the business week ending September 15, 2017.

"Today's announcement reflects yet another positive step in further strengthening our capital structure and executing on the priorities we outlined in August," said Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Amy Schwetz.

Madisonville (Kentucky) Community College Director of Mine Rescue Danny Knott was named to the National Coal Mine Rescue Hall of Fame during the 2017 National Mine Rescue contest held in Beaver, West Virginia recently.

Brian Lego, assistant professor at WVU's Bureau of Business and Economic Research, attributes coal productivity increases to technological advances and “capital investments” at the mines –most notably, the proliferation of longwall mining machines.

Several Spanish coal companies could be forced to close in the coming weeks because of the lack of demand from domestic coal-fired plants, coal mining companies group Carbunion said in a statement Monday.

A GE spokesman told the Ghana News Agency in London: “Access to affordable and reliable energy in developing countries is necessary to support their emerging economy, create jobs, and support the health and well-being of the people.”