The event is set for September 11-13 at the Westin Bayshore, and will also focus on production, global coal and steel markets and rail and port capacities.

The presenter lineup will make the most of the nation’s position as the world’s third largest exporter of metallurgical coal, including a key session on steel markets with presentations from ArcelorMittal (Luxembourg) solid fuels purchasing general manager Franz Blancquaert and Marubeni coal general manager Koji Iwama.

That session will also include a presentation from steel market expert Neil Bristow of H&W Worldwide Consulting.

Another session at CAC’s gathering will feature a global coal industry discussion from speakers including World Coal Association CEO Milton Catelin, who will speak about coal's reputation around the world, and coal market analytics firm Wood Mackenzie and Pricewaterhouse Coopers, which will discuss global coal supply and demand and mine financing trends.

Host presenters from Canada and the US will offer remarks about port and rail infrastructure requirements, a hot topic critical to the coal industry, and Canadian coal company executives from Coalspur Mines, Fortune Minerals, Teck Resources and Walter Energy will round out the conference.

The sessions will be moderated by coal expert Gerard McCloskey, founder of the McCloskey Group.

“The global coal industry is facing challenging times,” CAC president Ann Marie Hann said.

“Our outstanding line up of speakers will help put the issues into perspective by sharing strategic information about our industry so we can better understand the challenges and opportunities before us.”

The coal industry contributed about $5.2 billion to Canada’s gross domestic product in 2011, and directly and indirectly employs about 42,000.