ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ

The price for one metric ton of Australian thermal coal amounted to an average of U.S. dollars in 2025. This was a notable decrease compared to 2024, when the price amounted to over *U.S. dollars. Thermal coal, also known as steam coal, is used to generate electricity and its properties include a high moisture and low energy content. It is differentiated from coking coal, or metallurgical coal, which is largely used for steel production. Thermal coal/steam coal prices tend to be lower than coking coal prices, as coking coal requires fewer impurities.

Coal consumption: the leading consuming countries

Between 2000 and 2023, global coal consumption increased by some exajoules, amounting to roughly *** exajoules as of 2023. Today, China and India are the two leading coal consumers worldwide, at and exajoules, respectively. The two most populous countries on the planet thus accounted for over of total coal consumption in 2023. 

The U.S. is a leading coal consumer despite the declining U.S. coal mining industry

The United States was ranked among the leading coal consuming nations in 2023, however, it has decreased its coal consumption for electricity generation considerably since 2007. This is largely the result of electric utilities switching to cheaper means of energy production such as natural gas and renewables, as well as growing concerns over greenhouse gas emissions. The U.S. coal mining industry has also been on the decline in recent years.