Some of Europe s most prominent metallurgical coal consumers are visiting the U.S. this week to search for the means to fill additional requirements or to culminate ongoing negotiations with suppliers, according to a U.S. Coal Review source. Though the source did not yet have any details regarding new deals, he said some big players, including Arcelor, are in the U.S., engaged in talks with the likes of Massey CONSOL and Peabody. "They are over here trying to tie up met needs," the source said. "Prices are still strong." The increase in demand for coking coal seen in 2004 from overseas users could prompt the key U..S. producers to ramp up production while continuing to shift some steam coal into the met market. It seems certain that any significant production growth effort in Central Appalachia during 2005, and possibly beyond, will be launched with the coking coal market in mind.
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