Prices for almost all metals and resource commodities have been under pressure as of late, and coal has been one of the hardest hit. Looking at coal news and markets right now, the picture is not a pretty one. Metallurgical coal prices hit an 11-year low earlier this year, while a number of larger US producers, including Alpha Natural Resources (OTCMKTS: ANRZQ ), Walter Energy (OTCMKTS: WLTGQ ) and Patriot Coal, have filed for bankruptcy protection. What's more, analysts in the coal space don't see a true turnaround for met or thermal coal prices coming anytime soon. Still, thermal coal accounts for a significant portion of the world's electricity generation ( about 41 percent ), while coking coal remains essential to steelmaking. Here's a very brief introduction to coal and what's been going on lately in coal news and markets.