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U. S. Steel announced on September 3 that Blast Furnace No. 14 at Gary Works in Indiana had returned to service following the completion of a $350 million reline. The project included the replacement of the furnace’s refractory lining and maintenance of critical supporting systems, including furnace gas, cooling water, hoisting and stove systems. Blast Furnace No. 14 is the largest blast furnace at Gary Works and across U. S. Steel’s operating footprint, with annual hot-metal production capability exceeding two million “tons.”

Australia’s National Environmental Protection Agency has approved an extension of the Saraji open-cut mine in Queensland, operated by BHP Mitsubishi Alliance, allowing a further 55 million tonnes of steelmaking coal to be extracted between now and 2055. It is the agency’s first approval of a coal project since it began operations on July 1, 2026. The approval includes conditions intended to protect threatened-species habitats and water resources. The Climate Council estimated that using the coal overseas for steelmaking could generate about 120 million tonnes of carbon dioxide over the mine’s remaining life, although this is the organisation’s estimate.

Korea Southern Power Co., Ltd. (KOSPO) issued the ELT10 and ELT11 long-term thermal coal tenders on September 3, 2026. The tenders are open only to KOSPO’s existing suppliers and will close at 14:00 Korea Standard Time on September 9. The two tenders cover five contract years and seek a combined nominal volume of approximately 2.99 million tonnes. ELT10 seeks thermal coal with a minimum net calorific value of 4,300 kcal/kg NAR, shipped in 80,000-tonne Panamax cargoes. Its nominal five-year volume is approximately 1.04 million tonnes. The coal may be loaded in Indonesia or Australia, with 80,000 tonnes required in the first contract year and 240,000 tonnes annually in each of the following four contract years. ELT11 seeks thermal coal with a minimum net calorific value of 5,700 kcal/kg NAR, shipped in 150,000-tonne Capesize cargoes. Its nominal five-year volume is approximately 1.95 million tonnes. The tender calls for 150,000 tonnes in the first contract year and 450,000 tonnes annually in each of the following four years. Eligible origins include Indonesia, Australia, the United States, Canada and South Africa. Russian-origin coal, as well as coal or entities subject to United States sanctions, is excluded from both tenders. South Korean utilities increased their reliance on coal in 2026 amid weaker nuclear generation and elevated LNG prices. Coal-fired generation rose 26.6% year on year in the first quarter, while an August heatwave also lifted electricity demand and coal-fleet utilization.