Peabody, the largest US coal producer, jumped more than 10%. Arch, the second-largest miner, rose 5%, and Consol Energy Inc. +7%.

Russia is the world's third-largest exporter of thermal coal, supplying about 18% of the global demand in 2020. Europe is their largest buyer. The prospects of a Russian import ban plus commodity disruptions following the Russian invasion of Ukraine have driven US coal prices to $100 a ton for the first time in 13-years.

"The energy fallout from Russia's invasion of Ukraine could last for a while," Michelle Bloodworth, chief executive officer of America's Power, a coal-power trade group, told Bloomberg. "Coal is going to be needed for the foreseeable future."

Update (0915ET): EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen has issued a statement confirming plans for the proposed ban on Russian coal imports, along with a host of other measures (all detailed below) that would comprise the bloc's fifth round of sanctions against the Russians.