Coal mining: Overview

How the world still digs up billions of tonnes of coal

What this tile covers Taking coal from underground seams or open pits. Share of use 28% share of world energy supply (2024)

Share of world total energy supply captured or extracted by each method, 2024 (latest year where noted). Denominator is the Energy Institute Statistical Review 2025 total of 592.2 EJ (physical energy content method); electricity from wind, solar, hydro and geothermal is counted at output, nuclear at reactor heat. Heat and biomass flows outside EI's total are set against the same 592.2 EJ. Coal 165.06 EJ of 592.2 EJ (calculated). EI's figure is consumption, close to production after stock changes. Source: Statistical Review of World Energy 2025 (74th edition), Energy Institute.

Key facts

Output

Solid fuel

Included from the reference tables

Underground mining
Open-pit mining
Mountaintop removal

Linked to the material world

Tc Thermal coal Kc Coking coal

Also in Fossil and nuclear

OGw Conventional oil and gas production UOG Unconventional oil and gas NFR Nuclear fission reactors

Explore paths from here

More on this tile in the tabs above: efficiency, techniques, resources and labour, impact on the biosphere.