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Issue link: https://coal.epubxp.com/i/975717
April 2018 www.coalage.com 15 news continued landscape and positioned ourselves to take advantage of evolving opportunities, such as the recent rebound in export ther- mal markets, the international demand for crossover metallurgical coal, and the uptick in power markets that has been observed so far this winter," he added. Based on its current contracted posi- tion, coal market outlook and production forecasts, for 2018, the company antici- pates coal sales volumes of 26.2 million tons to 27.2 million tons and capital ex- penditures of between $125-$145 million. Haulage & Loading Moves to Tucson A straw poll held during Haulage & Load- ing 2017 (H&L; 2017) indicated a need for change. Delegates were unhappy with the pricey venue and thought the technical program could be improved. Exhibitors and sponsors were not satis fi ed with at- tendance and the timing of the event. Ev- eryone wanted to see more participation from mine operators. Mining Media International pur- chased the Haulage & Loading conference from SEMCO Publishing in June 2017 and immediately began to make improve- ments. After reviewing several properties in Phoenix and Tucson, MMI selected the El Conquistador resort in Tucson. It was obvious that Tucson wanted the business and the El Conquistador offered an af- fordable venue ($169/night) that suits the conference's needs. H&L; 2017 will be held March 10-13, 2019. Everyone seemed to like the biennial format, but the May timeframe con fl ict- ed with other conferences. Hotel rates in Phoenix during March are incredibly pric- ey due to MLB Spring Training. Tucson is delightful during March and just as easy to get to. MMI recruited Dr. Tim Joseph to im- prove the technical program. A popular past speaker and one of a core group of individuals interested in restoring the H&L; event, he is the engineering associate dean at the University of Alberta. A Call for Papers has been issued for H&L; 2019. Joseph is reaching out to mine operators, contractors and others to build a timely educational program. The new setting offers the ability to to- tally reorganize the event. MMI is current- ly considering an open- fl oor program that makes the presentations a central focus of the exhibit. In the past, the presentations were held in one room and the exhibit was placed in another room. The exhibitors felt left out and mine operators attend- ing the sessions could bypass the exhibits completely. Now the whole event will take place in one large ballroom. H&L; 2019 takes place in a little less than one year. The H&L; website (www.haulageandloading.com) has been refreshed and it presents some of the improvements. MMI is plan- ning much more and wants to keep everyone informed. Join the subscrib- er list on the website and, if you would like to speak, help organize, ex- hibit or sponsor, send an email to s fi scor@mining-media.com.