Ambrose reported in June, 2021 that although demand for coal continues to be strong in China, India, and southeast Asia, world coal consumption and production has been flat. World production in 2019 barely exceeded 2014 levels and consumption slightly declined since peak levels in 2013. Although coal production increased in China, Australia, and South Africa in 2019, India and the United States experienced declines. The United States had a nearly 7% decline in coal production in 2019, mainly because of diminished demand for coal for electricity coupled with increased reliance on natural gas for electricity.
In the European Union, a 15% decrease in coal production was caused by several factors that included climate policies, high carbon prices, increased competition from renewables and gas, and the end of coal subsidies. Despite its diminished role in power generation, coal is an important potential source for several resources that include rare earth elements (REEs), graphene, and in steel manufacture. Continued developments in coal technology such as improved recovery in underground coal gasification and coal-to-liquids promise to maintain coal as a diverse energy mineral source for the future, although its role in electricity generation continues to subside [because of its impact on the environment].
[Read full report. Great summary coverage of coal status]
[For previous Coal Committee reports, see (here)].
[For the history of coal developments over the past few decades, see (here)]
[For additional information information on coal use for other than burning, see (here) and (here).]
Managed & Built by I2M Consulting, LLC | © 2010-
