May 20, 2026 - Steel is essential for all aspects of American life and consequently, metallurgical coal -- which makes steel -- is critical, American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) President and CEO Kevin Dempsey told attendees at the Metallurgical Coal Producers Association (MCPA) annual conference and expo, which opened Tuesday in Roanoke, WV.

His comments relating to the importance of the industry were echoed by additional speakers during the day, including Ted O’Brien with Oluma Resources, LLC, who told conference attendees, “We have a very optimistic outlook right now for the U.S. metallurgical coal industry. It’s really the U.S. industry’s time to shine.”

MCPA and MSHA signed an agreement making MCPA an official alliance partner with the federal agency. The alliance is designed to promote safer and more healthful working conditions at the nation’s mining operations. On hand for the signing were, from left (front) Chris Anderson, Robindale Energy; Andy Eidson, Alpha Metallurgical Resources; Ben Beakes, MCPA president; Wayne Palmer, MSHA; Scott Kreutzer, RAMACO Resources and MCPA chairman; and Brian Keaton, Alpa Metallurgical Resources; and (back) Daniel Sole, United Coal Co.; Tyler Fields, RAMACO Resources; Aaron Price, Coronado Global Resources; and Dan Curry, Allegheny Met Resources.

MCPA Chairman Scott Kreutzer and MCPA President Ben Beakes welcomed attendees to the conference which continues tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Stonewall Resort and is centered around the theme, “Redesigning Resilience.” 

Speakers on Tuesday, in addition to Dempsey and O’Brien, included Wayne Palmer, assistant secretary of labor for the Mine Safety and Health Administration; and Mary Elizabeth Eckerson with Dominion Energy. 

During Day One of the conference, the MCPA also signed an agreement with MSHA making the MCPA an official alliance partner with the federal agency. The alliance is designed to promote safer and more healthful working conditions at the nation’s mining operations and will provide coal mining personnel with information, guidance and access to training resources helping to protect the health and safety of those working at coal mines and in preparation plants and mills. Key components of the alliance agreement focus on education and training, as well as outreach and communications, establishing specific goals to meet in each of those areas.

Dempsey, in his remarks, noted AISI viewed its partnership with the MCPA and coal as essential for both growing and strengthening the steel industry. He explained the AISI logo noting many associate it with the Pittsburgh Steelers football team in Pennsylvania, but he noted the logo is AISI’s and features three stars -- hypocycloids -- the yellow representing met coal; the orange for iron ore; and the blue for scrap steel.

“Met coal today is critical,” Dempsey said. “It makes the highest quality steels in the world and is essential to the U.S. national and economic security and critical infrastructure.” The industry, he said, supports nearly two million American jobs. It’s two primary end-use markets are construction and automotive.

He noted the steel industry as a whole saw a 12.6 percent decrease in imports in 2025, while production, demand and shipments were up. He pointed to current administration policies related to tariffs on steel as being a driving factor in a 3.1 percent uptick in production and an upturn in export shipments. Those factors, he added, support domestic investment and production. 

Dempsey noted raw steel production continues to be up in 2026 and capacity and utilization, he said, are improving.

“Last year, for the first time in over a quarter century, the U.S. surpassed Japan in terms of total steel production, so we went from being the fourth largest steel producer in the world in the U.S. to the third,” Dempsey said. “And, while it’s improving, there is room to grow and we have to continue to work to address challenges.” 

China and India continue to occupy the top spots in terms of steel production, with global steel overcapacity -- driven primarily by China’s government-subsidized expansion -- being a major challenge.

He talked about the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) agreement, noting efforts to strengthen it will close loopholes in trade policy. Currently, about 90 percent of U.S. steel exports go to those two countries.

“Global steel overcapacity continues to distort markets and adds pressure to domestic producers,” Dempsey said, noting strong enforcement tools need to be in place. “We need to get capacity in line with demand and this is a government issue first and foremost.”

Dempsey concluded his remarks noting that steel production in the U.S. is the cleanest in the world, producing lower carbon emissions than in the past.

“Steel is not a commodity -- it’s a strategic asset,” Dempsey said. “Think of the steel that goes into our infrastructure, into defense and into energy systems – those are critical to us and so we need to change the view of steel as just another commodity into a strategic asset that provides good paying jobs. We really need to make the case that no other material matches steel’s qualities -- its strength, its durability, its adaptability and the fact that it can all be recycled at end of life.”

Palmer spoke to conference attendees about MSHA’s role, noting emphasis is being placed on coordinated government efforts to revitalize the domestic mining industry. He noted 135 new mines have opened and 90 closed mines have been reopened.

He added agency focus is on objective – safe mining – utilizing even-handed enforcement. Data, he noted, has shown no correlation between higher penalties and improved safety outcomes. Injury rates, he said, have continued to gradually decline, regardless of penalty spikes. 

Palmer noted MSHA is consolidating from seven to five divisions for efficiency reasons. Additionally, he said, development of a Modernized Intelligence and Networked Ecosystem Mine platform are being used which feature voice-activated headsets, thermal imaging, photo and video capture capabilities and automated documentation features which are being piloted in select districts with the goal being faster and more consistent inspections.

“AI,” Palmer said of artificial intelligence capabilities, “aids, but does not replace, human judgment.”

He also noted the use of autonomous drones and accident scene modeling and investigation which he said, result in quicker mine reopenings and better analysis. 

Eckerson delivered remarks on behalf of Dominion Energy, emphasizing the importance of a diverse “all of the above” energy strategy for advancing sound energy policy in Virginia. Goals, she said, included those ensuring reliability, affordability and security for customers and communities.

She gave a brief update on the Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center, noting the 610 MW facility in St. Paul, VA, recently celebrated 14 years in operation. The center supports more than 500 local jobs and contributes more than $8 million in local taxes annually. The facility has helped to reclaim legacy coal sites and to improve local waterways with more than 4 millions tons of GOB coal removed since 2012.

O’Brien, with Oluma Resources, focused his remarks on seaborne coking coal and what his presentation referenced as “the new world order.” He noted the U.S. has re-established itself as the dominant baseload exporter of coal, while Australia has been relegated to being a swing supplier due to policies, resource degradation and high costs. Diesel shortages and anti-mining government policies further add to Australia’s woes.

“Australia’s best days are behind them,” he said.

U.S. met coal, especially high-volume coal, faces pricing pressures due to oversupply and weak demand in traditional markets in Europe and South America. Additionally, Middle East conflicts and recent diesel crises have sharply increased freight costs for U.S. exports, adding to those pressure points. The low volume market is tight due to global supply issues, he added. 

The major growth driver for coking coal demand, he said is India, with steel export overcapacity in China remaining as a drag on global steel and coal demand. Southeast Asia, notably Indonesia, Malysia and Vietnam, he added, are emerging as significant buyers. Russia, he said, is also re-entering markets, despite sanctions; and Venezuela is re-emerging in lower-grade markets. 

“Any change in trade relationship between the U.S. and China could be extremely meaningful in terms of opening up the Chinese market for U.S. tons,” O’Brien said. “India is one of the brightest stories out there right now. They have some very aggressive expansion plans and are currently producing about 200 million tons a year of steel with plans to get to 300 million tons a year by 2030.”

Tuesday’s business session of the conference closed with Beakes reminding conference attendees, a full agenda is on tap for Wednesday morning which will include an MCPA coal executives’ panel discussion, as well as a legislative and regulatory outlook discussion in addition to other speakers.

Sponsors of the 2026 MCPA Conference and Expo include Dominion Energy, Jennmar Corporation, Carter Machinery Co., Coronado Global Resources, Robindale Energy Services, Troutman Pepper Locke, 3PS, JH Fletcher Company, Steptoe & Johnson, Gould Electric, United Central Industrial Supply and West River Conveyors.

About MCPA: The Metallurgical Coal Producers Association is a non-profit trade organization comprised of metallurgical coal producers in Appalachia and those who support its producing members’ operations.  The six coal producers are: Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Allegheny Met, Blackhawk Mining, Coronado Global, Ramaco Resources, Inc., Robindale Energy. Together, MCPA members make up the majority of met coal produced in the U.S. Its mission is to advance the opportunities of the metallurgical coal industry through advocacy, education and outreach. Learn more at www.metcoalproducers.com.