Natural gas higher by 8 cents is irrelevant, the coal stocks are getting crushed today on the heels of a met coal driven downgrade (Marketwatch).

Re-posts from this morning, but that relevant to coal:  A Simmon’s analyst opines natural gas associated with oil production is the natural gas problem and a fall in oil prices in needed to balance the natty market (Barron’s).  Raymond James lowered their natural gas production forecast, yet are still calling for higher 2013 production.  RJ

Morgan Stanley is more constructive:  Barron’s.

Underground coal mining is dangerous:  Death toll in China mine blast rises to 43 at Terra Daily.  Thus the “Chinese government has decided to close hundreds of small mines over the year to ensure safety in the coal mining industry.”  Business Standard

Output cuts help steady China’s coal prices, outlook at Mining Weekly.