If you’re reading this page, you have likely received this in the mail or picked it up from our coal show or a colleague – and we hope you’ll enjoy the pages to follow in what is SEMCO Publishing’s first-ever edition of Coal Trends magazine.
Set to be a biannual coal-focused publication that will offer the latest news, op-eds and features from across North America and the global coal community, Coal Trends is getting off the ground with this issue’s coverage of the newly monikered America’s Coal Associations.
This is especially timely given the introduction of this new publication at the 2025 West Virginia Coal Show, being held April 15-16 in Charleston, W.Va.’s beautiful Coliseum and Convention Center. A lot is happening in the coal-rich state of West Virginia right now, from the markets to politics to the front lines of mines, and we hope to bring you a taste of that progress in this issue.
“Coal has been the quiet hero, the tireless force powering our nation for generations,” said NAM publisher and coal show director Peter Johnson. “Its strength has fortified our economy, built strong communities throughout Appalachia, and ensured reliable, affordable energy for families and businesses across the country.”
“The industry has faced its share of challenges, but the spirit and legacy of coal refuses to dim.”
Once you’ve had a look at this first edition, we hope you’ll take a moment to drop us a line on social media or at [email protected] with your feedback. We’re on the hunt for a mine profile for our next edition – could it be you? Whether you’re in West Virginia, Wyoming, or somewhere in between, I’d like to hear from you. Mine profiles are a great way to showcase your mine, your workers and what you’re doing right – and safe – in the coal industry today. It’s at no charge to your operation, and we would be glad to send you copies for your staff to share.
We are also seeking input from researchers, academia and suppliers about what great, positive things are going on in your respective sectors. Send us your events, products, services, research work and more and mark “Coal Trends Volume 2” in the subject line.
Finally, as you look over this issue, we hope you’ll take the time to talk to or visit the websites of some of our advertisers. With the success of North American Mining magazine, and knowing our history with other strong sister publications such as Rock Products, Concrete Products, Cement Optimized and The ASIA Miner, each of them has leveraged the future success of Coal Trends on our past successes – and we cannot thank them enough.
Thanks for joining us, and in advance for your feedback so we can make Coal Trends strong and successful long into the future.
Donna Schmidt
Editor, North American Mining magazine
[email protected]
X: @Dschmidt_NAM