Coking coal: Across the Earth
China mines it, Australia ships it, Japan and Europe import
What this tab covers How the resource varies with latitude, climate, terrain and geology: the richest and poorest regions and the leading countries.Production is led by China, but the export trade is dominated by Australia, with Mongolia, Russia, the US and Canada behind it. Large steelmakers with poor coking coal, such as Japan, Korea, India and Europe, import it.
Good coking coal occurs in a limited number of basins of bituminous rank. Being high value, it can bear long rail and sea journeys, unlike lignite, so geology and steel demand are linked by trade.
Rich and poor regions
| Region | Resource | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (exports) | 153 Mt exported, 20245 | high |
| Mongolia (exports, all to China) | 56 Mt, 20245 | high |
| United States (exports) | 52 Mt, 2024 (14% of world exports); mostly from Appalachia2 | medium |
| Russia (exports) | 49 Mt, 20245 | medium |
| China (imports) | 122 Mt imported, 41% of world imports, 20242 | low |
| India (imports) | 57 Mt imported, 19% of world imports, 20242 | low |
Top countries by metallurgical coal production 2024 4
| Country | million tonnes |
|---|---|
| China | 519 |
| Russia | 134 |
| Australia | 131 |
| Mongolia | 76 |
| United States | 67 |
| Canada | 29 |
China mines nearly half the world's metallurgical coal and also consumed about 62% of the world total in 2023. Australia produces less but exports most of it, making it by far the largest seller. Japan, South Korea and the EU have almost no domestic supply and import 32 to 39 Mt each.
In the US, about three quarters of metallurgical coal output was exported in 2023, the largest share (58% in 2024) through Norfolk, Virginia.
Sources
- Metallurgical Coal: Frequently Asked Questions (R48635) US Congressional Research Service (via EveryCRSReport), 2025
- Coal facts Natural Resources Canada, 2025
- Coal Mid-Year Update 2025: Trade IEA, 2025