In 1999, North America's coal production volume came to 25.28 exajoules. By 2023 it decreased to 13.21 exajoules. North America's role in global coal energy Coal production has decreased in North America in recent years. In 2000, the continent as a whole produced 24.65 exajoules of coal and had reduced production by 46.4 percent by 2023. However, globally, there has been a significant increase in coal production, from 96.5 exajoules in 2000 to 179.24 exajoules in 2023. This global increase is largely due to the coal production and energy consumption in China. The country accounts for almost half of both the world’s production and consumption of this fossil fuel. China’s coal production has more than doubled, from 29.6 exajoules in 2000 to 96.1 exajoules in 2023. North American coal consumption and environmental backlash The consumption of coal in the United States decreased to 8.18 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu) in 2023. The United States consumed almost 18 quadrillion Btu of coal in 2014 and 2.47 quadrillion Btu from conventional hydroelectric energy. Coal companies face competition from the growing renewable energy industries and increasing demands for cleaner energy from consumers. In Canada, the province of Ontario had shut down all of its coal-generated plants as of April 2014, the first jurisdiction in North America to do so.

Key information about United States Coal Production

• United States Coal Production was reported at 526.517 Tonne mn in Dec 2023
• This records a decrease from the previous number of 539.009 Tonne mn for Dec 2022
• US Coal Production data is updated yearly, averaging 904.958 Tonne mn from Dec 1981 to 2023, with 43 observations
• The data reached an all-time high of 1,063.047 Tonne mn in 2008 and a record low of 485.738 Tonne mn in 2020
• US 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

Coal production in the United States amounted to 11.8 exajoules in 2023, a decrease of nearly two percent in comparison to the previous year. Between 1998 and 2023, production of coal in the North American country decreased by around 12 exajoules, reaching a production peak in 1998.

Peabody Energy Corp was the leading coal producer in the United States in 2023, with an 18 percent share of the total coal production in the U.S. that year. Arch Resources ranked second that year, with a production share of 13 percent of the total coal U.S. production. Leading U.S. coal miners’ production volumes The coal industry in the United States remains dominated by a handful of major players, with Peabody Energy Corp leading the pack. The company’s leading position in the U.S. coal industry is due to its coal production volume of 104.3 million short tons in 2023, the largest of any producer in the country. Arch Resources followed in second place with 75.3 million short tons of coal produced that year. The total U.S. coal production volume in 2023 amounted to 11.84 exajoules, or nearly 578,000 short tons, indicating that the top two U.S. coal producers accounted for a significant proportion of the country's overall coal output. This concentration of production among the top companies highlights the consolidated nature of the U.S. coal sector. U.S. coal companies’ revenue comparison Peabody Energy Corporation saw its revenue reach 4.95 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. In second place, as with production volume, Arch Resources’ revenue amounted to nearly 3.15 billion U.S. dollars that year, marking a decrease of almost 600 million U.S. dollars from 2022. Meanwhile, another major player in the industry, Consol Energy reported an annual revenue of around 2.57 billion U.S. dollars in 2023.

Graph and download economic data for All Employees, Coal Mining (CEU1021210001) from Jan 1985 to May 2025 about coal, logging, mining, establishment survey, employment, and USA.

In 2023, approximately 237 million short tons of coal was produced in Wyoming, which was by far the leading coal-producing state in the United States. West Virginia was the second-largest coal producing U.S. state that year, with production amounting to 84.6 million short tons.

Coal miners have endured a rollercoaster of challenges and opportunities, marked by fluctuating coal prices and a shifting demand landscape. Coal miners faced severe disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, only to recover with a notable recovery as economies reopened. Coal miners have faced a domestic versus international demand dichotomy as infrastructure investments have boosted domestic steel production. Yet, cleaner production methods have hindered the growth of coal from domestic sources. Consequently, domestic coal miners have increasingly sought international markets, with countries like India and China being key export destinations, capitalizing on these regions' heavy reliance on coal for power generation and steel production. Still, recent tariffs on US energy by China may hinder this source of growth, with coal miners increasingly leaning on India as an export market. Industry revenue has been increasing at a CAGR of 8.2% over the past five years to total an estimated $30.4 billion in 2025, including an estimated decrease of 0.1% in 2025. It should be noted that this strong growth was because of a low base year in 2020 when coal prices and production plummeted. Coal miners have navigated through a period of intense volatility. While production dipped as the world staggered under the weight of the pandemic, a surge in demand and prices in 2021 and 2022, spurred by the reopening of the economy and an energy crisis because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, catalyzed a spike in revenues for coal miners. However, normalizing prices and the domestic market have progressively contracted because of a continued shift towards renewable energy sources. This has resulted in consolidation within the industry, shrinking the number of operating coal mines and concentrating market power in the hands of larger companies. Looking ahead, coal miners anticipate navigating both challenges and opportunities over the next five years. Coal miners will continue to look to export markets for growth despite potential headwinds from global environmental policies and increasing renewable energy adoption. Domestically, the push towards clean energy technologies and the expanding role of electric arc furnaces in steel production will place additional pressure on coal demand. Still, potential upticks in steaming coal consumption, driven by rising natural gas prices and heightened energy needs from burgeoning manufacturing and tech sectors, may provide a reprieve. The merger between Consol Energy and Arch Resources might further reshape industry dynamics, potentially enhancing pricing power and operational efficiencies and prompting competitors to innovate to remain viable. Also, the recent executive order by President Trump may revitalize coal mining. Industry revenue is forecast to climb at a CAGR of 0.4% to total an estimated $31.0 billion through the end of 2030.

The USA: Coal production, thousand short tons: The latest value from 2023 is 577656.75 thousand short tons, a decline from 593608.25 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 the USA from 1980 to 2023 is 947600.28 thousand short tons. The minimum value, 535434 thousand short tons, was reached in 2020 while the maximum of 1171808.63 thousand short tons was recorded in 2008.

Graph and download economic data for Bituminous Coal Production for United States (M01118USM448NNBR) from Jan 1905 to Dec 1958 about coal, production, and USA.

Coal Production: Louisiana data was reported at 16.542 Short Ton th in 21 Jul 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 22.511 Short Ton th for 14 Jul 2018. Coal Production: Louisiana data is updated weekly, averaging 66.934 Short Ton th from Jan 1985 (Median) to 21 Jul 2018, with 1700 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 132.848 Short Ton th in 11 Aug 2001 and a record low of 0.000 Short Ton th in 07 Apr 2012. Coal Production: Louisiana data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Energy Information Administration. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.RB004: Coal Production.

Bituminous hard coal has historically been the most produced coal type in the United States. Growing from just 98,000 metric tons produced in 1800, total coal output reached over 800 million metric tons by 1985. Hard coal was mined more than any other coal type.

United States Coal Production: Appalachian data was reported at 3,788.223 Short Ton th in 21 Jul 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 3,716.260 Short Ton th for 14 Jul 2018. United States Coal Production: Appalachian data is updated weekly, averaging 7,657.411 Short Ton th from Jan 1984 (Median) to 21 Jul 2018, with 1803 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11,332.761 Short Ton th in 29 Dec 2001 and a record low of 2,744.453 Short Ton th in 30 Dec 2017. United States Coal Production: Appalachian data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Energy Information Administration. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.RB004: Coal Production.

Coal Production: Arkansas data was reported at 1.299 Short Ton th in 21 Jul 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.260 Short Ton th for 14 Jul 2018. Coal Production: Arkansas data is updated weekly, averaging 0.833 Short Ton th from Jan 1984 (Median) to 21 Jul 2018, with 1763 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 21.188 Short Ton th in 01 Oct 1988 and a record low of 0.004 Short Ton th in 27 Mar 2010. Coal Production: Arkansas data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Energy Information Administration. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.RB004: Coal Production.

Note: Sample data provided. ・ These data identify and provide information on surface and underground coal mines in the United States in 2022. The attribute data for this point dataset come from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Form EIA-7A, Coal Production and Preparation Report and the U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Form 7000-2, Quarterly Mine Employment and Coal Production Report. It includes operating surface and underground coal mines in the United States. Additional coal mine data can be found on EIA Coal Data Browser

Forecast: Coal Production in the US 2022 - 2026 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

Data on U.S mining operation (i.e., operation name, mailing address, telephone number, State and county of operation, etc.), annual coal production, code definitions, and union status. Annual time series extend back to 1983. Based on EIA Form-7A data.

Employment statistics on the Coal Mining industry in United States

The majority of coal produced in the United States fell under the rank of bituminous coal in 2018, reaching 357.2 million short tons. Production of coal in the U.S. has decreased year over year.

Graph and download economic data for Producer Price Index by Industry: Coal Mining (PCU2121121211) from Dec 1985 to May 2025 about coal, mining, PPI, industry, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.