Thermal coal prices 2013-2020

The price for one metric ton of thermal coal amounted to an average of 60.80 U.S. dollars in 2020. This was a notable decline compared to 2018, when figures had peaked at 107 U.S. dollars per metric ton. Thermal coal, also known as steam coal, is used to generate electricity and its properties include a high moisture and low energy content. It is differentiated from coking coal, or metallurgical coal, which is largely used for steel production. Steam coal prices tend to be lower than coking coal prices, as coking coal requires less impurities.

Coal consumption: the leading consuming countries

Between 2000 and 2020, global coal consumption increased by some 53 exajoules, amounting to roughly 151 exajoules as of 2020. Today, China and India are the two leading coal consumers worldwide, at 82.3 and 17.5 exajoules, respectively. The two most populous countries on the planet thus accounted for over half of total coal consumption in 2020.

The U.S. is a leading coal consumer despite the declining U.S. coal mining industry

The United States was ranked third among the leading coal consuming nations in 2020, however, it has decreased its coal consumption for electricity generation considerably since 2008. This is largely the result of electric utilities switching to cheaper means for energy production such as natural gas and renewables, as well as growing concerns over greenhouse gas emissions. The U.S. coal mining industry has also been on the decline in recent years.