Rocketing prices for coking coal and iron ore, the two main components of steel, have left steelmakers shell-shocked. But the price spikes have lit a "For Sale" sign atop the coal mining sector, and a range of assets could change hands this year.

Some of the world's biggest steelmakers, after divesting their coal and iron ore assets over the past decade to adopt so-called pure-play strategies, are now reversing course to gain more control over raw material supplies.

The price increases, triggered by disruptions in some coal supplies and growing steel demand, are also prompting consolidation within the sectors that supply the raw materials. ... Read full article