In all reality, it could be just the fact that coal is not a sought after fuel right now. There is plenty in working mines in the US and other places world-wide that is going un-bought. If you wanted coal you could buy it cheap from many places and not bother with a developing mine in Columbia.
Check out WLT, a coal-mining stock that was over $40 a year ago and is $7.93 today.
Could be a matter of wrong place wrong time. Good idea that simply was overtaken by a world run by enviros who are in positions of power at the present time.
Put NEWC in a time capsule and dig it up in 10 years (If John can hold on that long).