【Kazakhstan Builds 4.1 Mt of Coal Stocks at Thermal Power Plants Ahead of Heating Season】

The EU's temporary steel safeguard expired at end-June 2026 and a permanent TRQ took its place — duty-free volume nearly halved to about 18.35 Mt, the out-of-quota duty doubled to 50%, and a first-ever "melt and pour" origin rule. Using the official allocations, this piece breaks the quota down category by category and country by country: HRC alone claims about 5.2 million tonnes, Türkiye takes the largest share, Taiwan, China is squeezed hardest — and CBAM stacks a second barrier on top.

The Queensland Government has allowed the Environmental Impact Statement for the Isaac Downs Extension project to proceed to public consultation, with submissions open from 19 August to 29 September 2026. Proposed by Stanmore ID Extension Pty Ltd, the project involves the development of an open-cut coal mine southwest of the existing Isaac Downs Mine （IDM）, with planned run-of-mine coal production of 2–4.5 Mtpa over a 15-year mine life. The project would be integrated into the Isaac Plains Complex (IPC) and use existing infrastructure, including the coal handling and preparation plant, train-loading facility, rail loop, internal haul roads and water and power connections. However, it remains in the environmental assessment stage. The proponent must respond to public submissions before an EIS assessment report is completed, while Commonwealth approval is also required.

Australian rail freight operator Aurizon has secured a long-term coal haulage contract for BHP Mitsubishi Alliance’s operations in Central Queensland. The contract will take effect in July 2028 and replace the existing agreement signed in 2015. It allows for annual haulage of up to 37 Mt and could run for as long as 12 years, subject to agreed performance and extension arrangements. The contract covers the Goonyella Riverside, Broadmeadow, Peak Downs, Saraji and Caval Ridge metallurgical coal mines. The 37 Mt figure represents the maximum rail haulage capacity under the contract, rather than mine production, incremental output or a guaranteed transport volume.