China's Coal Production Slumps 6.8% as Winter Supply Fears Grow
China’s coal production last month fell by 6.8% on the year to a total 385 million tons. The monthly total was, however, an increase on August, Bloomberg reported, citing the country’s statistics agency. China has been curbing coal production this year on abundant inventories and lower demand from power generators earlier in the year. In September, thermal power generation declined 1.4% year over year. With winter starting, however, the production—and power generation—trend could reverse as demand for heating peaks. Earlier…