Published: November 4, 2026 |

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Randall Atkins
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Ramaco Resources said its chairman and chief executive officer, Randall Atkins, has been elected to serve as the chairman of the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Coal Industry Advisory Board (CIAB) based in Paris, France.

Atkins was elected for the chairmanship by a unanimous vote of both the CIAB executive committee and its full membership, reflecting the CIAB’s strong support for his leadership and experience in the international coal, energy, and critical minerals sectors.

“I am deeply honored by the confidence of my CIAB colleagues and especially grateful for their unanimous support to work with them advising in the IEA on matters of importance on our industry,” said Randall Atkins.

“The world has entered a period in which energy, power, electrification and mineral security are both intertwined and of increasingly vital importance. Coal must continue to play its historically essential role in global steelmaking and energy production. At the same time, new technologies are also creating opportunities for coal to serve as a source of rare earths and critical minerals as well as a feedstock for higher value advanced carbon products,” added Atkins.

“I keenly look forward to working with the IEA and my colleagues on the CIAB to advance a thoughtful discussion about coal’s evolving role and its continued critical importance in the energy dialogue,” concluded Atkins.

The CIAB, created in 1979, is the oldest advisory board of the IEA and brings together senior leaders from the global coal, power, and critical mineral industries to provide industry perspectives and advice to the International Energy Agency on issues involving coal, energy security, power, technology, markets, critical minerals, and related governmental policy.

The CIAB chairmanship also expands Atkins’ prior role in national and international energy policy. Atkins previously served as the immediate past chairman of the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Coal Council (NCC). In December 2025, Secretary of Energy Chris Wright appointed Atkins to an additional term as an NCC member. The NCC advises the Secretary of Energy on scientific, technical, and programmatic matters relating to coal and coal policy.

Atkins brings more than 40 years of experience in energy and commodity-related development, investment and financing to his new role. He is a founder of Ramaco and serves as chairman and chief executive officer. Before forming Ramaco, Atkins was a banker with J.P. Morgan & Co. and held a variety of investment banking and private equity positions focused on the mining and energy industries.

His career has increasingly focused on expanding the strategic role of coal beyond its traditional markets to include advanced carbon products, rare earth elements, and critical minerals. He has testified before the energy committees of both the United States Senate and House of Representatives and serves on the board of directors of the National Mining Association. Atkins earned a B.A. from Duke University and a J.D. from Washington & Lee University School of Law.

The CIAB structure provides for each board member to designate an associate member who works alongside the member and participates in the activities and work of the board.

Atkins has designated Ramaco vice chairman Evan Jenkins as his associate member. As a result of Atkins assuming the chairmanship of the CIAB, Jenkins will also assume the corresponding leadership role as chair of the CIAB associate members.

“Randy’s unanimous election by the executive committee and full membership is an important recognition of both his leadership and his vision for the future of coal,” said Ramaco Vice Chairman Evan Jenkins.

“His leadership roles with both the CIAB and the National Coal Council provide a unique opportunity to help advance a broader discussion about coal’s future. I am honored to work with Randy and serve as the chair of the CIAB Associates. I look forward to working in that role of supporting the work of the board,” added Jenkins.

The Coal Industry Advisory Board was established by the International Energy Agency in 1979. The CIAB provides industry expertise and advice to the IEA, with a current focus that includes reliable and affordable energy, the energy transition, grid stability, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), and critical minerals.

The Coal Industry Advisory Board (CIAB) is a group of high level executives from coal-related industrial enterprises, established by the International Energy Agency (IEA) in July 1979 to provide advice to the IEA on a wide range of issues relating to coal. Currently, CIAB Members are drawn from 11 countries accounting for just under 80 percent of world coal production and coal consumption. Members are drawn from major coal producers, electricity producers, other coal consuming industries and coal related organizations.

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