End-of-year data reported by the US Energy Information Administration, shows 2006 set a new record for US coal production, marking the second consecutive year of record-breaking demand for US coal used by power and steel companies. According to the National Mining Association (NMA), the 1,052 Mt of coal mined in the US in 2006 topped the previous record set in 2005 by 2.5%. NMA President and CEO Kraig R. Naasz says hios organisation “expects continued year-over-year growth in coal production. Meanwhile, US steel production also increased by 2.5% over last year. Moderate declines in recent prices for minerals and metals do not obscure the strong global demand for copper, nickel and similar commodities mined in the US This demand underscores the powerful influence exerted by the global economy on US mineral and metals.

"As the new congressional leadership sets its energy and economic agenda, leaders from both parties should recognize the continuing demand for coal and minerals critical to our economy — and the implications of any policies that might impair the ability of America’s mines to meet this demand."

For a copy of the statistical summary: http://www.nma.org/pdf/members/stat_pubs/wss/wss010507.pdf