The coal mining industry's current boom cycle has made for higher demand and better prices. But many companies are seeing their growth stymied due to a severe labor shortage. People currently employed at coal mines are retiring and there is a lack of younger people to fill the vacancies. The result so far has been that many coal companies have not been able to expand as much or as rapidly as they would like. And inventories at mines and electric utilities are low. This could lead to higher electricity prices. Many major coal mining companies are sold out of coal for 2005. The National Mining Association predicted that the demand for coal this year will outpace the supply for the third straight year.
展开▼
