Coal Executives Panel Optimistic for Future

ROANOKE, WV (May 21, 2026) – Coal executives from five metallurgical coal production companies agreed while the industry is facing headwinds now with low market prices, there are still opportunities to shine in the future. The panelists, which included executives from Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Robindale Energy, Allegheny Met, Blackhawk Mining and RAMACO Resources gave their thoughts on the current state of the coal industry and its future during a panel discussion Wednesday morning on the closing day of the 2026 Metallurgical Coal Producers Association (MCPA) conference in Roanoke, WV.

The importance of Met coal in the production of the steel and the need for steel in infrastructure, construction and defense were pointed to in the discussion time and again. Those needs are not going away, but continue to increase, not only nationally, but globally as well, they noted. Panelists included Andy Eidson, Alpha Metallurgical Resources; Cris Anderson, Robindale Energy; Perry Longacre, Allegheny Met; Charlie Bearse, Blackhawk Mining; and Scott Kreutzer, RAMACO Resources.

“Right now is not forever,” Eidson told conference attendees, referencing current market conditions for Met coal and the capacity the industry has to weather market cycles. “Times may not be great now, but right now is not forever. We were built for this and have been for 150 years. We have gone through it before, but it’s a great industry with great people throughout it and that’s what keeps me excited and encouraged about going forward. There’s a lot for us to take heart in as we prepare for the next evolution of this industry.”

Longacre echoed those comments, noting, “it really is about confidence in our industry and the assets we operate. Our job as executives is to help inspire that confidence. From our employees to our associations, it’s probably the time when our voice needs to be strongest.”

Longacre noted the industry has gone through more than a decade of decarbonization efforts and de-manufacturing in the Atlantic basin.

“You’re finally seeing political movement that is looking to do the opposite,” Longacre said. “We need to support that and get out and advocate for our industry and what we need to continue to grow. We’re the platform for which America can start to re-industrialize.”

Kreutzer noted what keeps the industry strong is its people.

“I’ve been in this for awhile and we’re all optimistic -- we’re all hard-headed. We put out heads down and bulldog through problems, but that’s why we’re here,” Kreutzer said. “We’ve come out on the other side stronger and better and we’ll do that again this time.”

Addressing opportunities for Met coal in the world economy in the next few years, Anderson noted increased capacity opportunities are on the horizon as India, Vietnam and Indonesia work to continue to develop the infrastructure in their countries. Demand is also likely to increase in Europe, he said.

“I think time will tell where American Met coal can be kind of like the compliance coal concept,” Anderson said, referencing the cleaner production of coal in the United States which serves to make if a more desirable fuel source. “I think U.S. coal can compete better than other coals going into Europe.”

Longacre noted as Southeast Asia ramps up its building of coking capacity, the need for Met coal grows.

“Unfortunately, right now we have a weak global economy but as that recovers, the demand will be real and every ton of coal that is being produced will be needed to meet it, so the U.S. has a place in that as it always has,” Longacre said.

Additional opportunity, he added, is in the reshoring of manufacturing in the U.S. and in Europe.

“We have the Atlantic basin logistic advantages here and if we’re going to make America great again, it starts with American made steel from American Met coal.”

The importance of preparing for market downtowns in the cyclical nature of the industry was also discussed. Controlling costs where they can be controlled and keeping an eye on safety at all times is critical, they noted. Being involved in local communities and operating in an environmentally safe manner were also cited as keys to success for the industry.

“We can never stop making our case that Met coal is a vitally important commodity,” Anderson said. “It’s a vitally important resource, not just to the communities where our mines are located and where our people live, but it’s vitally important to the global economy.”

Eidson agreed, “there’s so much to be excited about for the industry -- for the future that we are going to be leading to. We’re not following. We’re actually leading to the future of the entire world.”

Additional presentations made Wednesday included one from Longacre which focused on Allegheny Met’s resilience following a roof fall, mine fire and bankruptcy which saw the company emerge from bankruptcy with every creditor paid in full and employees retained. He stressed the importance of investing in the face of challenges.

Mark Blankenship, of MBE Research, talked to conference attendees about the current state of politics nationally and particularly in West Virginia, focusing on the upcoming mid-term elections and recent WV state primaries.

The conference concluded with a panel discussion focusing on legislative and regulatory outlooks. Panelists included Elizabeth Parker, Troutman Strategies, who handles Virginia government affairs for MCPA; Brooks Smith, Troutman Pepper Locke, who is counsel for MCPA regulatory and environmental affairs; and Ben Beakes, 3PS and MCPA president, WV government affairs.

Sponsors of the 2026 MCPA Conference and Expo included Dominion Energy, Jennmar Corporation, Carter Machinery Co., Coronado Global Resources, Robindale Energy Services, Troutman Pepper Locke, 3PS, JH Fletcher Company, Steptoe & Johnson, Gould Electric, United Central Industrial Supply and West River Conveyors.

Exhibitors included AmerCable, AMR-Pemco, Ceramic Technology, Inc., Chuck’s Firearms & Hunting Supplies, Cramer Security &Investigations, Inc., Eco Solutions Distributing, ENCOVA Insurance, Fenner Dunlop, Friends of Coal, Matrix Design Group, Paul’s Automation & Controls, Paul’s Fan Co., Richwood, Skyward Specialty Insurance, State Electric Supply Co., Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority and the Virginia Department of Energy.

About MCPA: The Metallurgical Coal Producers Association is a non-profit trade organization comprised of metallurgical coal producers in Appalachia and those who support its producing members’ operations. The six coal producers are: Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Allegheny Met, Blackhawk Mining, Coronado Global, Ramaco Resources, Inc., Robindale Energy. Together, MCPA members make up the majority of met coal produced in the U.S. Its mission is to advance the opportunities of the metallurgical coal industry through advocacy, education and outreach. Learn more at www.metcoalproducers.com.

PHOTO CAPTION: Coal Executives, from left, Andy Eidson, Alpha Metallurgical Resources; Cris Anderson, Robindale Energy; Perry Longacre, Allegheny Met; Charlie Bearse, Blackhawk Mining; and Scott Kreutzer, RAMACO Resources, give their thoughts on the current state of the coal industry and its future during a panel discussion Wednesday on the closing day of the 2026 Metallurgical Coal Producers Association (MCPA) conference in Roanoke, WV.