Both Metallurgic and Steam Coal Face Slowdown

In recent years several coal companies have tried to increase their production of metallurgic coal used to make steel. As the price of steam coal used by power plants has decreased it was believed that meallurgic coal would continue to generate high proffits. About 50% of central Appalachian metallurgic coal is exported to eastern European countries to make steel. However, due to the recession in Europe steel production has dropped off significantly and so hase the prices for central Appalachian metallurgic coal. And projections have metallurgic coal prices continuing to fall through 2013.