Europe’s Coal-Buying Frenzy Means Windfall for Producers

TÓPAGA, Colombia – People in this coal-mining village say they understand little about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But they know it has led to boom times for them.

After the war, Europe is weaning itself off Russian coal and appealing to Colombia and a host of other countries from South Africa to Australia: sell us more coal. A commodity that was fetching $134 a ton earlier in the year is now selling for as much as $400 a ton, prompting coal producers to try to ramp up production, and in towns like Tópaga, which is in the heart of the mountains lying, this country creates a stroke of luck.