Top 10 Coal Producing Countries in World

Coal is a non-renewable fossil fuel used to generate electricity. It is a brownish-black sedimentary rock, composed of carbon and hydrocarbons. It is burned for fuel and this combustion produces energy. The conditions required for coal production were seen during the Carboniferous period, some 300 million years ago. Fossil fuels are formed from the remains of living things that existed millions of years ago. The production of coal takes millions of years, thus it is considered a nonrenewable resource. It is the largest source of energy and is found in huge quantities in the United States.

Uses of Coal

• It is solid dark-colored fuel found in deposits of sedimentary rock. burned to produce energy and is used to manufacture steel.
• It is also an important source of chemicals used to make pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, pesticides, synthetic dyes, and oils.
• Some historians believe it was first used commercially in China in 1000 B.C. In the early 18th century, the demand escalated when England iron founders John Wilkinson and Abraham Darby used coal, in the form of coke, to manufacture iron.
• The invention of the coal-burning steam engine by Scottish mechanical engineer James Watt in 1769 boosted the demand. During the 20th century uses of petroleum and natural gas reduce the demand. The black gold backbone of the industrial revolution, experienced a renaissance in the 1970’s after 30 years of neglect.
• At present, it is the second largest source of energy and it fulfills 24% energy demand of the world. World, 39% of electricity is produced by burning coal.
• It is used to make other metals such as aluminum and copper.
• It is used in the production of cement.
• Coal is heated with steam and then it is pressurized to produce ‘’town gas’’ that is used for lighting, cooking, and heating.
• Coal is easier to transport than other fossil fuels.
• It is considered to be an affordable source of energy.
• Coal just needs to be mined before use, whereas other fossil fuels need to be refined before their use.
• Coal is also used in other industries such as paper, glass, and textile industries.

Types of Coal

Coal is classified into four types which are lignite, sub-bituminous, bituminous, and Anthracite based on the carbon content and the amount of energy they can produce. These categories are explained below in detail:

Anthracite Coal – The best type of Coal

This is the highest-ranked, hardest, oldest, and least common type of coal. It possesses a high energy content, a high percentage of carbon more than 90%, and relatively little moisture or volatiles. It is low in volatile matter (oxygen and hydrogen). Anthracite burns with almost no smoke. Anthracite deposits account for only 5% of global output. Only China and U.S.A. have large deposits of anthracite.

Bituminous Coal

This is the second rank of coal, softer and younger than anthracite, and containing a lower percentage of carbon between 60% to 80% carbon content. Bituminous coal is the most mined and most widely available. It is suitable for heavy industry and is also used for cooking. It is mostly used in the steel industry. Bituminous shares nearly four-fifth of the global output of coal.

Subbituminous Coal

This type of coal is used for electricity generation. It is black and is rather dull. It is a lower grade of coal with only 35-45% carbon. Subbituminous type of coal possesses properties that are similar to Bituminous and Lignite.

Lignite Coal

This is the softest, youngest, and wettest rank of coal. Lignite is popularly known as “brown coal”. It has carbon content from 45% to 65% and highest the moisture. Lignite coal is used for generating thermal electricity and is being used for the chemical industry. Germany, Hungary, Russian Federation, Australia, and the Czech Republic possess large reserves of lignite coal.

Peat Coal

Apart from these 4 major types of coal, peat is the precursor of coal. Peat is the most inferior grade of coal that has been formed only through a very limited degree of decomposition. It contains only 30% of carbon and a much higher proportion of moisture and other volatile matters. Thus, peat generates very little heat and plenty of smoke.

10 Interesting Facts About Coal

• Coal mining takes place in 27 US states.
• Coal should be dry to burn well.
• The amount of coal consumed in the whole world is 5.3 billion tons.
• Coal is considered the official rock of Utah.
• Coal development takes 1 million years.
• 90% of the coal production is utilized to generate electricity.
• During the Roman Empire, coal was a major part of the trade.
• Surface and underground are two methods of mining coal. The surface is considered to be cheaper than the underground.
• There are over 90,000 jobs in the United States that are related to coal mining and production.
• Coal is cheaper than petroleum and natural gas.

Coal Reserves and Production Distribution by Country in the World

Coal is widely distributed over the earth and more than 70 countries possess large deposits. The major deposits lie in the Northern Hemisphere, mostly between 30°N to 50°N latitude. There is very little coal in the Tropics but a considerable amount in polar lands. The Russians, Norwegians, and Greenlanders all mine coal north of the Arctic Circle, and there are known deposits in Antarctica.

World coal reserves are about 1,139,471,430,000 tons (short ton, st), while coal consumption is about 8,561,852,178 (short ton, st). It means that coal will last for another 133 years. Although reserves are widely distributed in the world:

Largest Coal Producing Countries in the World

World’s largest coal producing countries include:

China

China outranks all countries in coal production in the world. Its consumption is mostly in the iron and steel industry and power generation. China produces 75% electricity from coal and produces one-fourth of the world’s. China’s coal consumption is high so it also imports large quantities. The Quinling Mountain and Huai River Basin possess 90% of the coal deposits of China. China has reserves of coal that are equivalent to 34.7 times its annual consumption. According to this, there are 35 years of coal left in China.

India

India ranks as 5th largest country in coal deposits. Reserves are 10 percent of the total reserves of the world. West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, and Madhya Pradesh come in the list of largest states in India by production & Contribution of 98% reserves and 99% of the country’s coal. Major production goes to the thermal power generating sector and iron and steel manufacturing. India has coal reserves equivalent to 111.5 times its annual consumption which will last for another 111 years.

United States

The United States possesses more than 27% deposits of in the world. The U.S.A. is the third largest producer in the world. The U.S.A. produces more than 50% of its thermal electricity with the help of coal. The most important producing region is the Appalachian Mountains. In this region, the Anthracite coal fields of Pennsylvania State are one of the most important deposits in the world. Interior coal fields of the Illinois basin, In the west, Pacific coastal region and interior, Gulf of Mexico, and Alaska states also possess large deposits of coal. U.S.A. produced 1053.6 million metric tons. The U.S.A. is the second largest coal exporting country in the world. They have coal reserves equivalent to 347.7 times their annual consumption. According to this, they have 348 years of coal left.

Australia

In the Southern Hemisphere, Australia is the leading country in reserves and production. It has the world’s 3rd largest reserves of coal and is the 4th biggest producer. Australia is one of the largest exporters in the world and Japan is the biggest buyer. Coal fields in Australia lie in New South Wales and New Castle regions. These areas possess the biggest coal mines in the Southern Hemisphere, Australia. It accounts for 14% of the world’s reserves. Their coal reserves are equivalent to 1,231.3 times their annual consumption. They have 1,231 years of coal left.

Indonesia

Indonesia ranks at 11^th position when it comes to its coal reserves of 24,910,001,380 tons. It is on the 5^th position in the world for production of coal. The province, East Kalimantan has several coal mines including the Pasir mines in Paser regency, the Sangatta mines in Kutai Timur regency, and the Fajar Tabang Brian mines in Kutai Kartanegara regency. Indonesia accounts for 9% of world’s coal consumption. They export 80% of the coal they produce. Their coal reserves are equivalent to 242.7 times its annual consumption and they have 243 years of coal left, according to their current consumption rate.

Russian Federation and Independent States

Russia possesses the second largest coal reserves in the world, which amount to 176,770,840,800 tons and 15.5% of the world’s total reserves. Among independent states, it is found in Ukraine and Kazakhstan & has large reserves. In the Common Wealth of Independent States (CIS) Donbas region (North of the Black Sea and Azor Sea) produces 60% of the country’s out of high-grade coal. There are 80 deposit sites in Russia. Russia possesses Anthracite and Bituminous reserves. The coal reserves are proven to be equivalent to 767.3 times its annual consumption. They have 767 years of coal left.

South Africa

In the continent of Africa, South Africa ranks first in coal reserves and production. It provides 97% of production in Africa. Among the world, South Africa ranks 8^th in coal reserves and 7^th in coal production. Union of South Africa has reserves in Natal, the Cape of Good Hope, and Transvaal provinces. South Africa has coal reserves equivalent to 173.3 times its annual consumption. So, according to this, they have 173 years until they will run out of coal. According to recent Statistics, its reserves, production, consumption, imports, and exports are as follows:

Germany

Germany is the largest coal mining country in Europe. According to the coal reserves they are in the 6^th position and according to the coal production they rank 8^th in the world. Germany accounts for coal reserves that are equivalent to 154.6 times its annual consumption, they have 155 years left until they run out of coal. Saar Basin, Rhur, and Westphalia coal range contribute a major portion of German coal output. Lignite is found in Germany, especially in the areas of Sachsen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, and Brandenburg. There are almost 63 coal mining plants in Germany.

Poland

Poland produces 143,996,029 tons of coal and is ranked 9^th position in the world for coal production. Their coal reserves are equivalent to 191.2 times their annual consumption. Poland has 191 years of coal left. The Silesian Coalfield is the most significant for production in Poland. Most of Poland’s Energy source is coal, and 93 percent of thermal power is produced. After Germany, Poland is considered 2^nd largest coal mining country in Europe. One famous company, Polska Grupa Górnicza, produces 48 million tonnes of coal every year. It is known to be the largest coal mining company in the country.

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan has 28,224,647,550 tons of coal reserves and is ranked number 10 in the world. They account for only 2% of world shares of coal reserves. They are equivalent to 325.8 times its annual consumption and according to this the coal in Kazakhstan will last for another 326 years. The majority of the coal mines are in the states of Karagandy and Pavlodar. Major operational coal mines in Karagandy are Shubarkol Mine, Zhalyn Mine, Kostenko Coal Mine, and Kazakhstanskaya Coal Mine. Their imports are comparatively much lower than their exports. Mainly they import their coal from Switzerland.

List of Top Coal-Producing Countries and Their Yearly Production in Tons

Other important coal-producing countries include Turkey (80,473,039,240 tons), Canada (67,605,854,950 tons), Vietnam (42,468,697,370 tons), Serbia (42,372,796,400 tons), Greece (35,977,193,780 tons), North Korea (34,237,748,600 tons), Hungary (10,158,888,960 tons), Brazil (7,721,681,550 tons), etc.

Conclusion

Coal is the most abundant yet cheapest source of non-renewable energy. It is obtained from fossil fuels and is developed in almost 1 million years. They are used for a variety of purposes but their major use is to generate electricity. It is a major source of energy in most countries in the world. Many of these countries produce coal b themselves. The top 10 countries producing coal include China, the USA, India, Russia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Poland, Germany, South Africa, and Russia. All these countries actively import and export their coal. With the increasing demand for this powerful resource, the world will soon run out of all its coal.

Lisa C. Townes

Lisa is a passionate travelers. She spends 3 months every year visiting different places worldwide. She has visited almost every famous place in the world. She herself is an affiliate blogger