China is by far the leading hard coal producer worldwide. In 2021, the economic powerhouse was responsible for over 3.77 billion metric tons of hard coal produced. In 2021, China was also the leading global coal consumer, at 86.2 exajoules. Hard coal refers to anthracite, which has the highest density and least volatile matter among all forms of coal. In the past it was the main fuel for locomotives and today is used primarily for metallurgy. It is differentiated from soft coal, or bituminous coal, which has a lower fixed carbon content and includes greater amounts of sulfur and nitrogen.
The United States has greatest hard coal reserves
Although China has the largest hard coal production output, the United States holds the greatest reserves of the highly sought-after coal type. As of 2020, nearly 220 billion metric tons of hard coal were accessible to U.S. miners.
Coal and electricity
Anthracite is counted among thermal coals or steam coals, which are a blend of different coal types used to generate electricity. Thermal coals also include bituminous coal and lignite and may be ground into a powder and mixed depending on the furnace system they will be used for. Since 1985, worldwide generation of coal-fired power increased by roughly six petawatt hours to a peak of approximately 9.4 terawatt hours in 2020.
Leading hard coal producing countries worldwide in 2021
(in million metric tons)
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BGR. (April 20, 2023). Leading hard coal producing countries worldwide in 2021 (in million metric tons) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved September 21, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/264775/top-10-countries-based-on-hard-coal-production/
BGR. "Leading hard coal producing countries worldwide in 2021 (in million metric tons)." Chart. April 20, 2023. Statista. Accessed September 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/264775/top-10-countries-based-on-hard-coal-production/
BGR. (2023). Leading hard coal producing countries worldwide in 2021 (in million metric tons). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: September 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/264775/top-10-countries-based-on-hard-coal-production/
BGR. "Leading Hard Coal Producing Countries Worldwide in 2021 (in Million Metric Tons)." Statista, Statista Inc., 20 Apr 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/264775/top-10-countries-based-on-hard-coal-production/
BGR, Leading hard coal producing countries worldwide in 2021 (in million metric tons) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/264775/top-10-countries-based-on-hard-coal-production/ (last visited September 21, 2024)
Leading hard coal producing countries worldwide in 2021 (in million metric tons) [Graph], BGR, April 20, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/264775/top-10-countries-based-on-hard-coal-production/