Thermal coal or steaming coal  is burned for steam to run turbines to generate electricity either to public electricity grids or directly by industry consuming electrical power (such as chemical industries, paper manufacturers, cement industry and brickworks). During power generation the coal is ground to a powder and fired into a boiler to produce steam to drive turbines to produce electricity.

• Major producers: China, Australia, South Africa, Colombia, Russia, United States, Indonesia

• Major exporters: Australia, South Africa, Colombia, Russia, United States, Indonesia

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