DAILY: Escalating supply constraints drive China's thermal coal prices higher

China's pithead thermal coal supply tightened further on August 27, as heavy rainfall, month-end production halts, and strict safety inspections combined to curb available shipments. This supply-side squeeze triggered a sharp jump in mine prices, according to market sources.

Rainfall persisted across northern producing hubs yesterday, with downpours continuing to lash Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Inner Mongolia. In Jungar Banner – one of Inner Mongolia's key coal districts – nearly all opencast mines were suspended, while underground operations also ran well below normal capacity, as many had evacuated workers