U.S. coal exports reach highest level since 1992

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the statistical arm of the U.S. Department of Energy, has reported that U.S. coal exports in the first quarter of this year were 26.6 million tons, representing the highest level of quarterly coal exports since 1992, when 27 million tons of coal were exported from the U.S. Coal exports were up 49% from the corresponding quarter of 2010 and were double first-quarter 2009 levels.

Industrial Info is tracking more than $12.8 billion in active U.S. projects involving the mining and processing of coal. The increased demand from abroad is helping fuel not only grassroot coal mine construction, but also the expansion and restart of existing coal mines.