[SMM Iron & Steel] Kobe Steel Plans New Large-Scale Scrap Melting Furnace at Kakogawa Works for Decarbonization

Kazakhstan’s Transport Ministry said thermal power plants had received 17.8 Mt of coal since 1 May 2026, while 1.2 Mt had been supplied to the communal sector. Current stocks stand at 4.1 Mt at thermal power plants and 0.3 Mt in the communal sector. Kazakhstan is preparing a comprehensive action plan to ensure stable coal deliveries during the heating season, with a focus on uninterrupted supply to energy and communal facilities and efficient railway use during peak demand. Kaztemirtrans operates 29,000 open wagons, which the Ministry considers sufficient for coal deliveries to power plants, households and industry. The Energy Ministry has also launched a unified digital system to track coal from extraction through transportation, delivery and sale.

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.