Coal supplies 35.2 percent of global electricity generation. Production stands at 8.9 billion tonnes with China alone at 4.1 billion tonnes. Emissions from coal combustion total 7.4 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide. The sections below present output figures, methane releases, productivity rates, price movements, and equipment market sizes.
Key Takeaways
- 70.6% of global electricity generation came from fossil fuels in 2022.
- 35.2% of global electricity generation came from coal in 2022.
- 10.0% of global CO2 emissions (direct emissions) were from coal in 2022.
- The IEA estimates coal mine methane emissions of about 9 million tonnes of methane per year globally (as reported in IEA coal mine methane analysis).
- In 2022, U.S. coal mining productivity was 118.6 short tons per miner-hour.
- In 2022, U.S. underground coal mine productivity was 44.3 short tons per miner-hour.
- In 2023, the average API 2 price (CIF ARA) was about $132/ton (IEA Coal Market Report).
- In 2022, the API 2 average price was about $395/ton (IEA Coal Market Report).
- In 2021, the API 2 average price was about $99/ton (IEA Coal Market Report).
- In 2023, the global coal mining equipment market size was $32.4 billion (IMARC).
- In 2022, the global coal mining equipment market size was $27.1 billion (IMARC).
- In 2022, the global coal mining machinery market size was $28.9 billion (Fortune Business Insights).
In 2022, coal fueled about 35% of electricity and produced 7.6 billion tonnes of CO2 worldwide.
Related reading
01 · Category
Industry Trends30 stats
01
70.6% of global electricity generation came from fossil fuels in 2022.
02
35.2% of global electricity generation came from coal in 2022.
03
10.0% of global CO2 emissions (direct emissions) were from coal in 2022.
04
7.6 billion tonnes of CO2 were emitted from coal use in 2022.
05
2.5 billion tonnes of coal demand declined in 2020 compared with 2019 (global thermal coal demand).
06
7.4% was the global change in coal demand in 2022 relative to 2021 (thermal coal demand).
07
8.0% of electricity generation in the European Union came from coal in 2022.
08
In 2023, China produced 4.1 billion tonnes of coal.
09
In 2023, India produced 1.0 billion tonnes of coal.
10
In 2023, the United States produced 0.7 billion tonnes of coal.
11
In 2023, Australia produced 0.5 billion tonnes of coal.
12
Global coal production increased to 8.9 billion tonnes in 2022.
13
Global coal production was 8.4 billion tonnes in 2021.
14
Thermal coal trade reached 1.2 billion tonnes in 2022.
15
Hard coal trade in 2022 increased by 1.2% year-on-year.
16
Coal stockpiles at major ports in China rose by 16% in January 2022 (from December 2021).
17
China increased coal imports by 15% in 2022 versus 2021.
18
The United States consumed 522.8 million short tons of coal in 2022.
19
The United States produced 406.6 million short tons of coal in 2022.
20
U.S. coal exports were 68.1 million short tons in 2022.
21
U.S. coal imports were 25.2 million short tons in 2022.
22
Europe imported 167 million tonnes of coal in 2022 (EU + UK hard coal imports).
23
Global proved coal reserves were 1,074 billion tonnes in 2023.
24
Global coal reserves increased by 0.7% in 2022 compared with 2021 (bp Statistical Review).
25
Coal accounted for 37.4% of global electricity generation in 2022.
26
Coal accounted for 28.6% of global electricity generation in 2010.
27
Coal accounted for 51.2% of electricity generation in 2010 in China.
28
Coal accounted for 53.8% of electricity generation in 2022 in China.
29
Coal accounted for 74.9% of electricity generation in 2022 in South Africa.
30
Coal accounted for 25.0% of electricity generation in 2022 in India.
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
Even as global coal production reached 8.9 billion tonnes in 2022 and coal still provided 35.2% of global electricity, coal’s role in emissions remained massive with 7.4 billion tonnes of CO2 from coal use in 2022, underscoring that the energy transition is progressing slower than the climate impact.
02 · Category
Performance Metrics30 stats
01
The IEA estimates coal mine methane emissions of about 9 million tonnes of methane per year globally (as reported in IEA coal mine methane analysis).
02
In 2022, U.S. coal mining productivity was 118.6 short tons per miner-hour.
03
In 2022, U.S. underground coal mine productivity was 44.3 short tons per miner-hour.
04
In 2022, U.S. surface coal mine productivity was 153.7 short tons per miner-hour.
05
In 2022, U.S. coal miners produced 406.6 million short tons with 0.203 million workers (average).
06
U.S. coal preparation plant recovery averaged 60% in 2022 (EIA coal preparation plant data).
07
Average sulfur content of U.S. coal was 1.31% in 2022 (EIA coal quality data).
08
Average ash content of U.S. coal was 8.7% in 2022 (EIA coal quality data).
09
Average heating value of U.S. coal was 23.1 million Btu per short ton in 2022 (EIA coal quality data).
10
In 2022, the average moisture content of U.S. coal was 6.0% (EIA coal quality data).
11
In 2022, 58.6% of U.S. coal production came from underground mines.
12
In 2022, 41.4% of U.S. coal production came from surface mines.
13
In 2022, U.S. coal production was 406.6 million short tons, down from 528.5 million in 2014 (EIA series).
14
The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration reported 35 fatal mining injuries in 2022 across all mining sectors (MSHA annual report).
15
The U.S. MSHA reported 1 fatality in coal mining in 2022 (MSHA coal mining fatality count).
16
In 2022, there were 49 nonfatal days lost injuries in U.S. coal mining per 100 workers (MSHA coal injury rate).
17
In 2022, the U.S. had 0.50 fatalities per 100 million hours worked in coal mining.
18
In 2022, the U.S. had 0.9 serious injuries per 100 workers in coal mining (MSHA workplace injury reporting).
19
In 2022, U.S. coal mining had 0.09 fatalities per 200,000 hours (MSHA safety metrics).
20
In 2022, average U.S. coal mine employment was about 50,000 workers.
21
In 2010, U.S. coal mine employment was about 76,000 workers (EIA series).
22
Surface mines produced 65% of U.S. coal in 2010 (EIA).
23
In 2022, surface mines produced 41% of U.S. coal (EIA).
24
In 2022, the average U.S. coal mine workforce earned average hourly earnings of $29.00in mining (BLS production hours).
25
Coal-fired power plants emit about 820 gCO2 per kWh for subcritical units (IPCC AR6).
26
Coal-fired power plants emit about 750 gCO2 per kWh for supercritical units (IPCC AR6).
27
The global average capacity factor for coal power plants was 52% in 2022 (Ember data).
28
Germany coal plant capacity factor averaged 17% in 2022 (Ember).
29
India coal plant capacity factor averaged 67% in 2022 (Ember).
30
South Africa coal plant capacity factor averaged 66% in 2022 (Ember).
Interpretation
Performance Metrics Interpretation
Even as US coal output fell from 528.5 million short tons in 2014 to 406.6 million in 2022, productivity remained high and underground mines still supplied 58.6% of production, while coal mine methane stayed a major global contributor at about 9 million tonnes of methane per year.
More related reading
03 · Category
Cost Analysis23 stats
01
In 2023, the average API 2 price (CIF ARA) was about $132/ton (IEA Coal Market Report).
02
In 2022, the API 2 average price was about $395/ton (IEA Coal Market Report).
03
In 2021, the API 2 average price was about $99/ton (IEA Coal Market Report).
04
In 2020, the global thermal coal benchmark price averaged about $59/ton (World Bank Pink Sheet).
05
In 2022, the average import price of coking coal into Europe was about $390/ton (IEA/World Bank).
06
The World Bank reports that the global coal price volatility increased sharply in 2022, with daily prices often exceeding 2x the 2021 average.
07
In 2022, the global median price for steam coal (API2) was about $372/ton.
08
In 2023, the global median API2 steam coal price was about $132/ton.
09
Coal plant capital costs for new ultra-supercritical units were estimated at about $1,600–$2,700 per kW (IEA).
10
Coal plant O&M costs are typically about $30–$50 per kW-year (IEA).
11
In 2022, the U.S. averaged about 5.2 cents per kWh for coal generation fuel costs (EIA fuel cost breakdown).
12
In 2023, the U.S. EIA projected coal fuel costs for power generation at about $2.6per million Btu in 2023 (EIA Annual Energy Outlook assumptions).
13
In 2022, U.S. average coal production cost (mined) was about $45.6per short ton (EIA coal cost).
14
In 2021, U.S. average coal production cost (mined) was about $37.2per short ton (EIA coal cost).
15
In 2022, U.S. average coal price at the mine (coal cost basis) was about $53.2per short ton (EIA).
16
In 2022, U.S. delivered coal price to power plants averaged about $3.9per million Btu (EIA electricity fuel costs).
17
In 2022, U.S. federal coal production was about 413 million tons (EIA + BLM federal).
18
The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration assessed civil penalties averaging $10 million per year for coal mine enforcement (MSHA annual enforcement).
19
In 2023, global expenditure on coal power plant maintenance and environmental retrofits was estimated at $50–$80 billion annually (IEA).
20
In 2022, the cost to add scrubbers to coal plants typically ranges from $1,000–$3,000 per kW (IEA).
21
In 2022, the cost to add selective catalytic reduction (SCR) for NOx typically ranges from $100–$300 per kW-year (IEA).
22
Coal-plant lifetime often targeted 40–50 years for new builds (IEA).
23
Typical cost of seaborne shipping of coal in 2022 averaged about $15–$30 per ton for Panamax routes (UNCTAD Review of Maritime Transport).
Interpretation
Cost Analysis Interpretation
The data show a dramatic post-2021 rebound and volatility in coal prices, with API 2 jumping from about $99 per ton in 2021 to about $395 per ton in 2022, before dropping back to roughly $132 per ton in 2023 while Europe’s coking coal imports stayed near $390 per ton in 2022.
04 · Category
Market Size24 stats
01
In 2023, the global coal mining equipment market size was $32.4 billion (IMARC).
02
In 2022, the global coal mining equipment market size was $27.1 billion (IMARC).
03
In 2022, the global coal mining machinery market size was $28.9 billion (Fortune Business Insights).
04
In 2023, the global coal mining machinery market size was $30.5 billion (Fortune Business Insights).
05
The global coal handling equipment market size was $12.6 billion in 2022 (Allied Market Research).
06
The global coal handling equipment market is projected to reach $18.9 billion by 2031 (Allied Market Research).
07
The global mining automation market was valued at $6.3 billion in 2023 (MarketsandMarkets).
08
The global mining automation market is forecast to reach $14.5 billion by 2028 (MarketsandMarkets).
09
The global surface mining equipment market size was $21.8 billion in 2022 (IMARC).
10
The global underground mining equipment market size was $33.5 billion in 2022 (IMARC).
11
In 2023, global coal mining revenue was about $400 billion (IEA estimate in Coal Market Report context).
12
In 2022, global coal mining revenue was about $560 billion (IEA estimate in Coal Market Report context).
13
The global steam coal trade value was about $400 billion in 2022 (IEA Coal Market).
14
The global coal power generation market (coal power plant services) was valued at $160 billion in 2022 (IEA).
15
The global coalbed methane (CBM) market value was about $3.0 billion in 2022 (Grand View Research).
16
The global coalbed methane market is projected to reach $5.5 billion by 2030 (Grand View Research).
17
The global coal tar market size was $1.6 billion in 2023 (IMARC).
18
The global metallurgical coke market was valued at $56.2 billion in 2022 (IMARC).
19
The global coking coal market size was $29.1 billion in 2022 (Fortune Business Insights).
20
The global thermal coal market size was $24.4 billion in 2022 (Fortune Business Insights).
21
U.S. coal sales revenue was $14.9 billion in 2022 (EIA).
22
U.S. coal sales revenue was $34.5 billion in 2014 (EIA historical coal sales).
23
In 2022, the U.S. coal industry spent about $20 billion on mine operations (EIA/industry accounts).
24
In 2022, global coal mining capacity additions were dominated by China with 1,000+ million tonnes per year in operating capacity (Global Energy Monitor baseline dataset).
Interpretation
Market Size Interpretation
Across the past few years, coal mining remains a large global business but is shifting toward growth in handling and automation, with coal handling equipment rising from $12.6 billion in 2022 to a projected $18.9 billion by 2031 and mining automation climbing from $6.3 billion in 2023 to $14.5 billion by 2028.
Reference
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APA
Kevin O'Brien. (2026, February 13). Coal Mining Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/coal-mining-industry-statistics
MLA
Kevin O'Brien. "Coal Mining Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/coal-mining-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Kevin O'Brien. 2026. "Coal Mining Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/coal-mining-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
47 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+30 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)