Coal Preparation Society of America

Message from the President

I would like to thank you for reading the Spring 2025 issue of the Coal Preparation Society of America’s Coal Processing Technology Journal. As a New Year begins, new changes have come along with it.  

Current administration has promoted a coal renaissance.  What does that mean? We will have to wait some time to find out.  It appears aimed at postponing coal plant retirements and even firing back up idled facilities.  Concurrently, the Homer City Power plant was demolished this last weekend, another example of a plant decommissioned with no hope of returning. The tariff and counter tariff situation on coal exports has caused uncertainty in global markets.  The port fees on certain vessels may also disrupt trade flows, further causing uncertainty on the export side.  All in all there is a great deal turmoil in the markets while these policies are rolled out.   Time will tell if these changes will benefit our industry, but most agree, that nothing will improve without change.

We held our first CPSA Maintenance Seminar in Beckley on March 20th.  It has taken some time get this program off the ground but the first run at it was a success. We had 41 member participants in the class with an additional 15 presenters and board members present.   I would like to thank all our vendor participants taking their time out of their schedules to help educate and train our membership and for making this seminar a success.   Justin Yoke kicked off the day with an overview of rigging materials and proper inspections.  William Jones gave great insight on the nuts and bolts of screen maintenance.  James Taylor gave us some know how on centrifuges.  Jack Hopwood, Joe Dehart and Adam Fauber taught us about slurry pumps and pump maintenance.  Erich Dohm and Jose Marin filled us in on the ins and outs of flotation and magnetic separators.  Allan Correll and Mike Owens capped off the day with screenbowl maintenance.  It was a full day of information to take in!  We are eager to get feedback from participants so we can continue to enhance the quality of these workshops to suit the needs of our members.

There are two more scheduled maintenance workshops one in Evansville Indiana on April 9th in conjunction with the Midwest Coal Preparation Society’s 2025 Show that has been sold out.  I encourage those that are able, to attend this show as well.  The third workshop is scheduled for April 16th in Charleston, West Virginia in conjunction with the WV Coal Show with spots still available at this time. On the website, registration for the CoalProTec 2026 booth exhibit hall has also been opened.  Spaces have started filling up so log in and reserve your spot on the floor. (https://www.coalprepsociety.org/NewsAndEvents.aspx)   More to come on the CoalProTec 2026 individual registrations, workshops, and members events as well. 

I would also like to congratulate Dr. Rick Honaker on receiving the 2025 SEC Faculty Achievement Award for the University of Kentucky.  Dr. Honaker provides our society with a wealth of knowledge and a willingness to continue the training of our industry.  We are fortunate to have him on the CPSA board to guide our technical programs, education, and training.  Congratulations and well deserved!

Thank you for your continued support of the CPSA, and as always if there are any needs or ideas reach out to myself or any board member.  
Work Safe and God Bless,

John Nielson