Coal

Coal is a non-renewable fossil fuel that is combusted and used to generate electricity.

Coal accounts for about half of the generation in world’s electricity. Coal is limited on earth and one day we will run out of it.

What is coal?

Coal is a black or brownish-black sedimentary rock that can be burned for fuel and used to generate electricity.

It is composed mostly of carbon and hydrocarbon, which contain energy that can be released through burning.

Coal is found all over the world including in our country.

How it is formed?

Millions of years ago, large plants grew in swamps. When the plants died, the dead parts went to the bottom of the swamp and got buried under layers of dirt and rock.

As more stuff built up, so did heat and pressure which transformed the dead plants into coal.

Where coal is found?

Coal reserves are available in almost every country worldwide, with recoverable reserves in around 70 countries. The biggest reserves are in the USA, Russia, China, Australia and India.

What are uses of coal?

Coal has many important uses worldwide. The most significant uses of coal are in electricity generation, steel production, cement manufacturing and as a liquid fuel.

Different types of coal have different uses like:

Steam coal: also known as thermal coal, is mainly used in power generation.

Coking coal: also known as metallurgical coal, is mainly used in steel production.