Global coal production edges up in CY’24

• APAC (Asia-Pacific) region to drive growth
• India’s output increases by 7.3%

Global coal production increased modestly by 0.8% to 9,068 million tonnes (mnt) in 2024 compared to 8,993 mnt in 2023, as per data maintained by IEA and BigMint.

Asia-Pacific region drives production growth

The Asia-Pacific region, the largest coal producer, witnessed a 2.5% increase to 7,262 mnt in 2024, having contributed 7,085 mnt in 2023. China, the leading producer, which accounted for 4,658 mnt in 2023, experienced a 2.2% growth to 4,759 mnt due to energy and industrial needs. India’s output rose 7.3% to 1,039 mnt, driven by stronger energy demand and government policies. Indonesia’s output grew 7.8% to 830 mnt, while Mongolia’s production surged 23.9% to 97 mnt, fuelled by coking coal exports to China.

Other regions see output decline

The Americas produced 585 mnt in 2024, a decline of 10.3% compared to 652 mnt in 2023. This reduction was primarily due to the continents’ transition towards natural gas and renewable energy sources, which has diminished reliance on coal. Additionally, stricter environmental regulations designed to limit coal usage, along with economic pressures and falling coal prices, further contributed to the downtrend in production.

Europe’s coal production declined by 5.1%, to 393 mnt in 2024 from 414 mnt in 2023. This reduction was driven by the European Union’s ongoing transition to renewable energy and natural gas, coupled with coal phase-out policies aimed at meeting climate targets.

The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region, including Russia and other former Soviet states, witnessed a modest decline of 2.6%, to 566 mnt in 2024 from 581 mnt in 2023. This decrease was fuelled by efforts to diversify the energy mix, with a growing shift towards renewable sources and nuclear power.

Africa’s output edges up

Africa’s coal production grew modestly by 1.2%, to 261 mnt in 2024 from 258 mnt in 2023. This growth was driven by increasing energy demand, stemming from population and industrial expansion, as well as coal exports, particularly from South Africa to Asian markets.

Conclusion

Global coal production showed growth in the Asia-Pacific, driven by demand in China and India and exports from Indonesia and Mongolia. In contrast, production in the Americas, Europe, and the CIS declined due to energy transitions, environmental regulations, and economic factors, with coal being phased out in some regions as sustainability goals take priority.