EURACOAL promotes and defends the common interests of its members who are engaged in activities along the entire coal value chain, from prospecting, extraction, processing, trade, use – notably steelmaking and power generation, scientific research, land restoration and industrial transformation. The association works with the European institutions and other stakeholders to inform policy debate and influence legislative outcomes related to the technical, economic, environmental and research interests of its members.

Dating back to 1954 when the Western European Coal Producers’ Association represented the coal industry in the European Coal and Steel Community, EURACOAL is one of the EU’s oldest associations. Today, while coal remains a reliable and competitive raw material and fuel, EURACOAL’s mission and objectives reflect its members’ desire to secure long-term, sustainable businesses as the use of coal for power generation is phased out across the EU.

Mission

“Powering transition in Europe” is the focus of all EURACOAL’s activities. Traditionally, coal’s contribution to this has been to provide reliable energy, notably for 24/7 electricity generation. Coal is also an indispensable raw material for iron and steelmaking. But powering transition means more as EURACOAL members are engaged with recultivating land and repurposing sites for a new era. Looking ahead, EURACOAL’s mission will continue to focus on research for the future by promoting the EU Research Fund for Coal and Steel. For the safety of miners and health of the planet, reducing methane emissions at underground mines remains a top priority. EURACOAL’s logo reflects this mission: the green “R” symbolises the coal sector’s move towards sustainable solutions while reaffirming its core identity.

Objectives

The most important objective of EURACOAL is to highlight, in the interests of its members, the importance of coal’s contribution to a secure, competitive, affordable and sustainable energy and critical raw material supply for Europe within an acceptable regulatory framework. The European Green Deal and a challenging business environment mean the association places more emphasis on post-mining activities and industrial transformation.

EURACOAL is therefore not only a platform for voicing the collective interests of its members, but also a forum for exchange through which members may discuss their concerns and agree actions. The EURACOAL secretariat works closely and professionally with the European Commission and the European Parliament on these actions. As member states have a strong role in the EU legislation process, EURACOAL emphasises communication with national representatives with a view to debates held in the Council of Ministers.

The efforts of EURACOAL members on energy and environment policy issues at national level are therefore as important as the collective representation of their interests in Brussels.

EURACOAL’s activities are directed towards:

• informing members about all coal-relevant EU developments;
• providing a platform for members to discuss and debate;
• promoting and disseminating information on members’ energy transition projects;
• voicing members’ interests on EU energy and environment policy;
• creating fair regulatory conditions for coal mining and post-mining;
• alleviating any undue regulatory pressures on the coal industry;
• supporting State-aid needs in the spirit of a just transition;
• co-ordinating research-related activities that benefit members;
• participating in the European Sectoral Social Dialogue and EESC; and
• co-operating with others to improve the image of the coal industry.

Membership

EURACOAL is the only pan-European coal association or federation. Its members benefit from tailored solutions in terms of engagement in Brussels and on messaging for:

• steam (thermal) coal mining companies and associations;
• lignite (brown coal) mining companies and associations;
• coking coal companies and associations;
• operators of coal- and lignite-fired power plants and their associations;
• post-mining authorities and associations;
• research institutes and their associations.

Structure

EURACOAL’s governance structure – President, Vice-Presidents, General Assembly, Executive Committee and working committees – supports its activities.

Energy and Environment Policy Committee (EEPC)

The EEPC observes, and occasionally comments on EU energy policy developments, influences EU environmental law for mining, processing and power generation, and pays close attention to post-mining issues such as soils, water management, waste, environmental impact assessment (EIA), land restoration, site redevelopment and the repurposing of assets.

Market Committee (MKT)

The Market Committee observes the global coal market and informs members, stakeholders and the broader public. Biannual market reports usefully provide the first aggregated EU coal market data.

Technical Research Committee (TRC)

The TRC successfully represents coal-related research interests in Brussels, as well as being a forum for researchers. It actively co‑operates on workshops and events linked to the EU Research Fund for Coal and Steel, working closely with the European Commission and the European Research Executive Agency (REA).

Secretariat

With the active support of members, the secretariat organises committee work. It informs members about relevant developments, lobbies EU institutions, facilitates EURACOAL’s role as a forum for exchange between members and co-organises conferences to this end in Brussels and in the member states. The secretariat manages the EURACOAL website and social media accounts with the aim of giving easy access to information on the association’s positions and events. A “Members Area” serves mainly as a distribution channel for documents between the secretariat and members.