Book Description

The size and global reach of the coal industry is unparalleled in the mining sector. Almost 500 million tonnes of coal are shipped annually around the world at a traded value of around US$15bn, but the total amount of coal mined each year amounts to some 3.8 billion tonnes. This puts the total value of annual production at around US$100bn - far higher than the next most important mined commodity, aluminium.The Coal Industry provides an in-depth overview of the international coal trade at the turn of the millennium. In 330 pages of clearly presented information, analysis and statistics, it brings the industry into sharp focus – from productivity and power plants to growth prospects and global warming.Detailed data, authoritative analysisRead this guide and find out about: - How the coal industry has developed from its earliest beginnings - How the latest processing treatments are creating a wider market for coal - The factors which will guide coal markets over the next decade - How concerns over greenhouse gas and nuclear energy could have a positive effect on coal demand - The recent growth in supply from Colombia, Indonesia and Venezuela and the changing structure of the European industry - The activities of the major producers and their chances for improved profitability - The environmental impact of coal and how it can be reducedThe Coal Industry is essential reading for industry executives, the financial community and government policy-makers, as well as providing an excellent introduction and training resource for new entrants to the industry. - A comprehensive guide to the workings of the international coal industry - Written by a world-renowned mining analyst - Examines future trends in demand, trade and pricing