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That's good but there are many existing coal companies that could make up for the missing coal. https://www.eia.gov/coal/annual/pdf/table10.pdf

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While that is correct, the article suggests the market is seeing reduced demand as utility companies increasingly turn to gas-fired generation and renewable energy for electricity.

For such a large coal producer to be struggling with that lower demand (and hence the lower price) suggests most of the sector will also be struggling with those adverse market forces.

I suspect you're giving them too big a benefit of a doubt. It's equally likely that the coal company's owners have decided they've milked the cow for as much as they could and can now shut it down before liabilities (clean-up costs + retirements) catch up with them.

This is exactly what's happening and it's not even the first time.

> For such a large coal producer to be struggling with that lower demand (and hence the lower price) suggests most of the sector will also be struggling with those adverse market forces.

That is one possible reason... and probably the most likely one.

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