David Fickling, Columnist

Coal's Dirty Secret

Waning demand means plans to build one of the world's biggest mines will prove ephemeral.

April 2, 2017 at 6:00 PM UTC

David Fickling is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering climate change and energy. Previously, he worked for Bloomberg News, the Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times.

Provide news feedback or report an error

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

This article is for subscribers only.

The world's biggest coal exporter has a problem.

Demand for the dirtiest fuel is on the wane. The International Energy Agency -- which has tended to overestimate coal production, and underestimate renewables -- doesn't expect consumption to regain its 2014 levels until 2021. Investment in new mines is "drying up," according to its latest market forecast.