Held from October 7 to 9 in Toronto, Canada, organisers expect more than 200 industry leaders in the fields of coal, coke, iron & steel, plant design, project development, and international trade and transport to attend.

 

The conference will feature 20 speakers on October 8-9 and one panel discussion featuring key leaders discussing the critical issues facing the industry. Two 3-hour pre-conference seminars will be held on October 7.

 

There will also be a number of sponsored networking functions, and an exhibit area for display of new products and processes.

 

Conference co-chair Neil Bristow said the international coke and coking coal sector currently faced four critical uncertainties – the resolution of which will have a profound effect on international steel, foundry and ferroalloy practice over the next decade.

 

“Can we make enough coke and met coal to meet booming world demand, especially for developing regions of the world? Can we get enough high quality coking coal at reasonable prices?” he said.

 

“Should we repair, up-grade or build new coke facilities – and with what designs if we go new – to meet the shortage of coke plants and how can we meet the increasingly stringent environmental regulations that affect our industry?”

 

Bristow said despite challenges such as widespread rationalization of the global steel industry, growing shortages of merchant coke, the steep rise in energy costs, the growing popularity of EAF steelmaking, unpredictable coking coal supplies, new coke plant designs, oven design and rebuild issues, and Chinese dominance of the export market, there were many prospects for coking coal.

 

“There are many opportunities that will enable coke to continue to play a vital and growing role – advanced value-in-use techniques, new business models and partnerships, new uses in metallurgical and mineral ore treatments, and new coke plant technology,” he said.