National Mining Association upbeat about 2013 - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

National Mining Association upbeat about 2013

Posted: Updated:
  • Local NewsLocal News

  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:58 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:58:34 GMT
    Mercer County Sheriff's Deputies are looking for clues in a reported armed robbery at the Winfrey Mobile Home Park.  That is located on Route 460 near Princeton.Deputies told 59News that it happened at
    Mercer County Sheriff's Deputies are looking for clues in a reported armed robbery at the Winfrey Mobile Home Park.  That is located on Route 460 near Princeton.
  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:12 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:12:08 GMT
    Kids in schools were in the path of destruction when the storms hit in Oklahoma.  But are schools here ready if something like this were to strike? Students at Rainelle Elementary School in Greenbrier
    Students at Rainelle Elementary School in Greenbrier County know exactly what to do when word of a tornado comes over the intercom.
  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:24 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:24:57 GMT
    Though the Mountaineer baseball team was not directly affected, they didnt hesitate to reach out to those in need. The team is safe and did manage to get a practice in yesterday. But after practice, the
    Though the Mountaineer baseball team was not directly affected, they didnt hesitate to reach out to those in need.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -

The National Mining Association says global demand for coal and other natural resources bodes well for the industry, particularly in developing countries.

President Hal Quinn says improvement in new-home construction and car sales in the U.S. are also good signs.

Quinn says coal is on track to become the world's primary energy source, surpassing oil by 2015.

In the U.S., total coal consumption is expected to grow by 50 million tons over last year, due in part to cooler weather and natural gas prices that the Energy Information Administration predicts will jump 22 percent.

Long-term, the NMA expects industry to benefit from the construction of larger, modern coal-fired power plants.

It says at least 100 million tons of production lost with the retirement of old plants will eventually be recovered.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.