Coal why is it used

Versatility Coal is hugely versatile. As well as generating electricity, it is a core component in iron and steel making and is integral to a range of processes, including aluminium refining, paper manufacture and chemical production. Affordability The abundance of coal, its accessibility, straight-from-the-mine usability and lower transport costs, make it an affordable form of energy.

Electricity produced from coal is less expensive than other sources. Safety Coal is easier and safer to transport, store and handle than alternative, highly flammable fossil fuels or nuclear materials.

Contacts Cookies Sitemap Terms and Conditions. Coal does not require high-pressure pipelines, expensive protection during transport or costly processing. Coal only needs to be mined before it can be used. Coal is hugely versatile. The abundance of coal, its accessibility, straight-from-the-mine usability and lower transport costs, make it an affordable form of energy.

Coal is easier and safer to transport, store and handle than alternative, highly flammable fossil fuels or nuclear materials.

In Canada, many parts of the nation have abundant low-cost, domestic coal, while other regions have easy access to an international supply. The Canadian coal industry produces coal for use in metallurgical applications e. Nearly half of the coal produced in Canada is thermal and half is metallurgical. Some power-generating companies not only use coal for electricity generation but also own coal mines or are involved in coal production themselves.

Other companies generate electricity from purchased coal. Global coal production in is estimated at 7. This bar chart shows the world's annual coal production from to Production in was 7. It then grew, peaking in at 7.

Canada's imports of coal imports have trended downwards for over a decade, while exports have held steady. Canada exports about half of its production. The majority of Canada's coal exports go to Asia, which is still a significant consumer. From to , coal exports increased from 28 million tonnes to almost 40 million tonnes before levelling to approximately 30 million tonnes between and Coal imports decreased from 21 million tonnes in to 7.

In , Canada exported In , Canadian exports of coal were valued at 7. Nearly half of all imports are used for the manufacturing of steel, the rest is for electricity generation. Coal is used for electricity generation, the manufacturing of steel and cement, and various industrial and residential applications. In Canada, 7. With the phasing out of coal-fired electricity by the Government of Canada, energy produced by coal will be eliminated by That said, coal will continue to be used for metallurgical processes.

A special type of coal used to produce coke for the steel making process and by-products of coke-making include coal tar, ammonia, lights oils and coal gas.

Coal is used in cement manufacturing, food processing, paper manufacturing and alumina refineries. Black coal was first discovered in Newcastle and coal mining and exports commenced soon after in These early coal mining activities made a significant contribution to the progress of European settlement in Australia.

With the progressive spread of settlement to other locations in Australia lead to further discoveries and mining of black coal including the discovery of coal near Ipswich in , at Cape Paterson in Victoria in and Irwin River in Western Australia in