President Trump today welcomes the coal industry—including members of the National Mining Association—back to the White House where he will receive an award from the Washington Coal Club and will reportedly make a number of announcements, including an executive order concerning the Department of War buying electricity from coal plants and funding awards to five coal plants for facilities upgrades. We'll have more on that event for you tomorrow.

The nation's largest federal utility, Tennessee Valley Authority, may extend the life of coal units at two of its largest power plants. A vote is expected at its board of directors meeting as soon as today.

Finally, the U.S. is reportedly using offtake deals and state-backed to edge out China in securing African copper, cobalt and other minerals. The US government is reportedly focusing on Zambia, Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo.