Financial yearly statistical coal mining data produced for the Queensland mining industry.

Spreadsheets of raw coal and saleable coal production by mine, discards, overburden, Queensland distribution, interstate distribution, export by mine and country.

Please Note: The data structure has been modified as of 14/11/2023.

Key information about Australia Coal Production

• Australia Coal Production was reported at 462.895 Tonne mn in Dec 2024
• This records an increase from the previous number of 460.381 Tonne mn for Dec 2023
• Australia Coal Production data is updated yearly, averaging 343.248 Tonne mn from Dec 1981 to 2024, with 44 observations
• The data reached an all-time high of 505.408 Tonne mn in 2019 and a record low of 128.519 Tonne mn in 1981
• Australia Coal Production data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by BP PLC
• The data is categorized under World Trend Plus’s Association: Metal and Mining Sector – Table WB.BP.PROD: Coal Production

The Report covers Australian Coal Companies and the market is segmented by application (electricity, iron and steel, and other applications). The market size and forecasts are provided in revenue (USD) for all the above segments.

Annual statistical coal mining data produced for the Queensland mining industry. Spreadsheets of raw coal and saleable coal production by region, overburden, Queensland distribution, interstate distribution, export by port, export by region and export by country, and stockpile balances. Please Note: The data structure has been modified as of 30/04/2023.

As of December 2024, the gross value added (GVA) by the coal mining industry in Australia amounted to about 106 billion Australian dollars. This figure represents an increase from the previous year. Coal mining economic contribution Employment in the coal mining industry has declined over the past decade, but saw a rise again in 2023. Tens of thousands of people are still included in the coal mining workforce. Australia is one of the world’s largest exporters of coal. With China being the largest coal consuming country in the world, recent tensions have cast uncertainty on trade relations, including the export of Australian coal. Coal mining companies UK-Australian based BHP and Rio Tinto were among the leading mining companies worldwide. These multinational companies have a diverse mining portfolio that includes Australian coal. This comes as no surprise, as Australia has coal reserves totaling around 150 billion metric tons.

Australia's coal production amounted to ******exajoules in 2024, up by nearly ****percent in comparison to the previous year. During the period in consideration, production of coal in Australia nearly *******, peaking at **** exajoules in 2019.

In the financial year 2024, the total income of the coal mining industry in Australia amounted to approximately 120.61 billion Australian dollars. This reflected a significant decrease from the previous fiscal year 2023. Coal mining in Australia Australia’s coal mining industry is important both globally and domestically, supporting more than 37 thousand jobs across Australia. As of 2021, Australia was in second place amongst the leading coal exporting countries worldwide, despite experiencing a downward trend in the value of coal exports in recent years, attributed to strained relations with one of the country’s leading coal importers, China. Are renewables on the rise? Solar and wind energy are the Australian publics’ leading preferred sources of energy as of 2022, with coal relatively unpopular in comparison, as more people become increasingly anxious about the effect of fossil fuels on the environment. The leading concern by the share of the population concerned about climate change impact in Australia was an increase in droughts and flooding affecting crop production and food supply, as well as the risk of more bushfires. Despite public concern and demand for cleaner energy options, coal holds firmly onto Australia’s largest share of total energy production as of 2021.

Employment statistics on the Coal Mining industry in Australia

Analysis of Australia's coal market in 2024, including consumption, production, trade, and prices, with a forecast to 2035. Covers market size, key trade partners, and type-specific trends for coal other than lignite and lignite.

This dataset quantifies characteristics of 62 Australian coal mines, with particular focus on quantities associated with fugitive emissions during the 2020-2021 Australian financial year.

The dataset is a compilation of data from 305 publicly-available data sources, which are mostly mine annual reviews, mine environmental impact assessments and government sources. Mining companies use methods specified in the Australian Government's National Greenhouse Accounts and National Inventory Reports to estimate their emissions. The 62 coal mines in the database are estimated to collectively produce 90% of fugitive emissions from currently-operating Australian coal mines.

The data are contained in the single SQL file combined_data.db. That database contains a data table for each mine with columns defining: (1) the parameters; (2) their values; (3) units; (4) notes related to the quantities; and (5) reference information. The database also contains a references table with information concerning the 305 primary data sources.

Two types of data are contained in combined_data.db: data directly sourced from the 305 publicly-available data sources; and quantities inferred from that data, which may be useful for fugitive-emissions modelling. The data sourced directly from the data sources are always provided with reference information. The inferred data are always provided with a brief description in the “note” column, and more details and calculations are found in the script analyse_data.py.

CSIRO makes no claims concerning the accuracy of the data. Consumers of the data must decide whether the data are fit for their purpose. For the data directly sourced from the publicly-available data sources, the "note" column often contains remarks concerning supporting data (along with references) and sometimes contains remarks concerning apparently conflicting data (along with references) and the consumer of the data is encouraged to read the primary sources and consider the relevant notes. For the inferred data, consumers are encouraged to carefully consider whether the algorithms and models used are fit for their purpose.

The python script analyse_data.py may be used to produce various summaries (such as are presented in the data_description.docx file) as well as to combine the individual databases nsw_oc.db, nsw_ug.db, qld_oc.db and qld_ug.db (relating to opencut (OC) and underground (UG) mines in the Australian states of New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland (QLD)) into the single file combined_data.db. Most consumers of the data will not need to access these individual databases.

The data compares well with aggregated emissions in Australia’s National Greenhouse Accounts and National Inventory Reports, as well as the Safeguard Data published by the Australia's Clean Energy Regulator. The uncertainties in emissions are estimated in the National Inventory Reports to be ±10% for underground coal mines, and ±33% for opencut coalmines. Most other quantities in the database are also subject to uncertainty. For instance, the mining depth varies from year-to-year, from pit-to-pit, and longwall-panel-to-longwall-panel, but such detailed information is not usually provided in public data sources, and “mine depth” is a single number for each mine in the database. Similarly, coal-seam permeability is highly heterogeneous.

Lineage: Quantities from 305 publicly-available data sources, such as mine annual reviews, mine environmental impact assessments and government sources, were extracted to form the core of this dataset. Reference information is provided for all quantities. Secondly, the python script, analyse_data.py, uses those core numbers to infer various other, potentially useful, numbers. Each of these is provided with a note explaining their provenance, and the script analyse_data.py may be inspected to determine the algorithms used.

The Australian coal industry, while facing headwinds from global decarbonization efforts, maintains a significant market presence driven by robust domestic demand and continued export opportunities, particularly to Asia. The market, valued at approximately $XX million in 2025 (assuming a reasonable estimate based on global coal market trends and Australia's historical production), is projected to experience a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) exceeding 1.40% through 2033. This growth is primarily fueled by sustained energy demand in power generation (electricity sector) and the iron and steel industry, which heavily rely on metallurgical coal. While environmental regulations and a push towards renewable energy sources pose significant restraints, the industry's competitiveness in terms of cost and established export infrastructure will partially offset these challenges. Further growth will be influenced by factors such as global economic growth, energy price volatility, and the pace of the global energy transition. Segmentation within the market reveals that electricity generation and iron and steel manufacturing account for the largest portions, with other industrial applications comprising a smaller, yet still significant, segment. Key players like BHP Group Ltd, Whitehaven Coal Limited, and Yancoal Australia Ltd continue to shape the market landscape through their production and export activities. The regional distribution of the market is heavily influenced by Australia's geographic location and existing trade relationships. While domestic consumption contributes significantly, the Asia-Pacific region, specifically China, India, and Japan, remains the primary driver of export revenue. North America and Europe, though smaller markets for Australian coal, still represent opportunities for specialized coal types and niche applications. The forecast period of 2025-2033 will witness a complex interplay of factors—environmental pressures versus the enduring reliance on coal for energy security and industrial processes—influencing both the growth trajectory and the strategic decisions of key players. Adaptability, diversification into lower-emission technologies (where feasible), and strategic partnerships will be vital for maintaining long-term competitiveness in a rapidly evolving energy landscape. Recent developments include: September 2022: AGL Energy announced the company's coal-fired Loy Yang A power station in Victoria will close in 2035., October 2022: New South Wales (NSW ) Electricity Infrastructure awarded the contracts to design and replace four of NSW's remaining five coal power stations in the next 11 years.. Notable trends are: Demand for Bituminous Coal to Drive the Market.

Australia Employment: Mining: Coal Mining data was reported at 49.669 Person th in Feb 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 42.754 Person th for Nov 2024. Australia Employment: Mining: Coal Mining data is updated quarterly, averaging 32.299 Person th from Nov 1984 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 162 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 60.979 Person th in May 2019 and a record low of 14.269 Person th in Feb 2001. Australia Employment: Mining: Coal Mining data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Australian Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.G023: Employment: by Sex and by Industry.

Learn about the projected growth in the Australian coal market over the next decade, driven by increasing demand and market performance forecasts.

Australia: Coal production, thousand short tons: The latest value from 2023 is 488251.72 thousand short tons, a decline from 510991.19 thousand short tons in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 50404.68 thousand short tons, based on data from 190 countries. Historically, the average for Australia from 1980 to 2023 is 358053.07 thousand short tons. The minimum value, 115195.8 thousand short tons, was reached in 1980 while the maximum of 574180.81 thousand short tons was recorded in 2015.

The Coal Industry Australia size was valued at USD XX Million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD XXX Million by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 1.40">> 1.40 % during the forecasts periods. Recent developments include: September 2022: AGL Energy announced the company's coal-fired Loy Yang A power station in Victoria will close in 2035., October 2022: New South Wales (NSW ) Electricity Infrastructure awarded the contracts to design and replace four of NSW's remaining five coal power stations in the next 11 years.. Key drivers for this market are: 4., Increase in Prices of Electricity Procured from Conventional Mechanisms 4.; Decline in Cost of Solar Energy Infrastructure. Potential restraints include: 4., Competition from Other Alternative Energy Sources. Notable trends are: Demand for Bituminous Coal to Drive the Market.

In 2024, the Australian coal market decreased by -11.1% to $17.4B, falling for the second consecutive year after three years of growth. In general, consumption, however, saw a remarkable increase. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $27.4B. From 2023 to 2024, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Number of Businesses statistics on the Coal Mining industry in Australia

Learn about the expected trends in the Australian coal market over the next decade, with consumption projected to increase and market performance forecasted to expand at a steady rate.

Employment in the Australian coal mining industry has fluctuated in recent times, standing at approximately 45.9 thousand as of June 2024. The mining industry has traditionally been a dominant contributor to the Australian economy. In recent times, however, coal mining has faced criticism from environmental groups due to combustion emissions. Australian coal market The gross value added by the coal mining industry amounted to almost 47 billion Australian dollars in 2020. Royalties and taxes collected by the Australian government from this industry currently make a significant contribution to the livelihood of Australians. Australia has become one of the largest producers as well as net exporters of coal in the world. While the production volume of coal is high, most of the coal produced in the country is exported. Its major export markets include Japan, China, South Korea, and India. Is the industry cooling? While coal is the primary fossil fuel used in energy generation in Australia, renewable energy sources are becoming more popular across the country. Public support for coal-fired power stations has been dwindling. Recently, an Australian judge has ruled against the establishment of a new coal mine due to its potential impact on the environment. Consumption of Australian coal has been declining over the past decade, as newer, cleaner forms of energy are becoming more readily available.

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Coal Mining Market Size 2025-2029

The coal mining market size is forecast to increase by USD 86.3 billion, at a CAGR of 2.6% between 2024 and 2029.

The market is driven by the increasing usage of coal as a fuel source for electricity generation, surpassing its role in traditional industrial applications. A notable trend in the market is the shift towards the utilization of liquid coal, which offers advantages such as easier transportation and storage. However, this trend faces challenges due to the growing adoption of renewable energy sources, which are increasingly becoming cost-competitive and more environmentally friendly. The transition towards cleaner energy sources poses a significant challenge for coal mining companies, necessitating strategic adaptations and innovations to remain competitive.
Better electricity generation technology, particularly those that reduce emissions and improve efficiency, will be crucial for coal mining companies to capitalize on the market's ongoing demand. Effective navigation of this dynamic market landscape requires a deep understanding of technological advancements and regulatory frameworks, as well as a keen awareness of evolving consumer preferences and market trends.

What will be the Size of the Coal Mining Market during the forecast period?

Explore in-depth regional segment analysis with market size data - historical 2019-2023 and forecasts 2025-2029 - in the full report.
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The market continues to evolve, with various techniques and technologies shaping its landscape. Strip mining, an open-surface method, remains a significant player, accounting for over 40% of global coal production. Ground control techniques, such as rock mechanics analysis, are crucial in ensuring mine safety and preventing mine subsidence. Underground coal gasification and mine dewatering are gaining traction, offering potential solutions for environmental concerns and resource optimization. For instance, a leading coal producer implemented a methane drainage system, reducing methane emissions by 70% and increasing coal output by 10%. Surface mining techniques, including dragline mining and open-pit coal mining, offer high extraction rates but come with challenges like mine subsidence and groundwater management.

Mine safety regulations and ventilation systems are essential to mitigate risks and ensure efficient operations. Advancements in mine safety technologies, like methane gas detection and coal dust suppression, are transforming the industry. Continuous mining, coalbed methane extraction, and coal preparation plants are other key areas of innovation. Coal transportation systems, coal beneficiation, and coal washing are integral parts of the value chain, ensuring the efficient delivery and processing of coal. Highwall mining, hydraulic mining, and mine emergency response are additional techniques contributing to the market's dynamism.

The coal mining industry is projected to grow at a steady pace, with expectations of a 3% annual increase in production.

The ongoing unfolding of market activities and evolving patterns underscore the importance of staying informed and adaptive in this ever-changing landscape.

How is this Coal Mining Industry segmented?

The coal mining industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Method

  Underground mining
  Surface mining


End-user

  Thermal power generation
  Cement manufacturing
  Steel manufacturing
  Others


Geography

  North America

    US
    Canada


  APAC

    Australia
    China
    India
    Indonesia


  South America

    Argentina
    Brazil
    Chile
    Colombia


  Rest of World (ROW)

By Method Insights

The underground mining segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

The underground coal mining segment comprises a substantial share of the global coal mining industry, accounting for extraction methods used when coal reserves lie at significant depths or when environmental and geological conditions favor underground coal extraction. Underground mining techniques involve the creation of vertical or inclined shafts and tunnels to access coal seams unreachable by surface mining. Access points are typically located on the surface, with tunnels excavated to reach the coal seams. Ground control techniques are essential for ensuring mine safety, involving the use of rock mechanics analysis to prevent mine subsidence and mine roof collapses. Underground coal gasification is another critical process, converting coal into synthetic natural gas (SNG) and other valuable chemicals through a series of reactions in an oxygen-deficient environment.

Mine dewatering systems are necessary for managing groundwater, preventing