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Coal mining globally

The Global Energy Monitor estimates 7.2 billion tonnes of coal are mined each year, from 3,670 recorded coal mines across 70 countries. Coal mining worldwide emits around 52 million tonnes of methane per year (equivalent to 4,320 million tonnes of CO2*), more than oil (39 million tonnes) or gas (45 million tonnes). If new coal mines under development go ahead, they would add another 11.3 million tonnes of methane per year (equivalent to 936 million tonnes of CO2*). Methane is a powerful climate change accelerant.

In the ‘gassiest’ of coal mines, the methane released during the act of coal mining contributes as much to climate change as burning the coal mined. Unlike CO2 from burning coal, methane release from mining coal is not consistently measured and there is little in the way of international commitments to reduce it. This is concerning as coal mine methane emissions must fall 11% each year until 2030 if we are to remain within reach of the International Energy Agency’s roadmap for Net Zero 2030, according to Global Energy Monitor.

Coal mining in the UK

After 15-months of illegal coal mining Ffos-y-fran opencast coal mine finally closed 0n 31st November 2023. As of 2025, just one commercial coal mine is in operation - Aberpergwm, a deep coal mine in South Wales. Aberpergwm secured an extension in 2022 to extract up to an additional 42 million tonnes of coal until 2039. There are 5 other 'artisanal' coal mines operating, with one in Northumberland and 4 Gloucester. Although significant, the volume of coal mining in the UK now is tiny compared with the historical coal mining sector in the UK which was a major employer of over 100,000 of workers at the industry's height, whereas by March 2025, the sector employed just 267 people. Glan Lash dormant opencast coal mine in South Wales reapplied in 2024 to reopen the coal mine and expand it after its 2018 application to do the same was rejected in 2023.

Click on the current and recent coal mine-specific campaigns of the UK below:

Impacts from mining coal

Significant emissions can be released from coal mining and impacts from coal mining can be wide-ranging with global and local consequences. These include:

  • Methane
  • Carbon monoxide
  • Sulphur dioxide (SO2), which contributes to acid rain and respiratory illnesses
  • Nitrogen oxides (NOx), which contribute to smog and respiratory illnesses
  • Particulate matter linked to respiratory illnesses and lung disease
  • Noise pollution from heavy machinery and blasting
  • Loss of wildlife
  • Sink holes for deep coal mining
  • A changed and less hospitable landscape for opencast coal mining
  • Flooding
  • Water pollution
  • Fires
  • Acid rain
  • Radiation
  • Climate change, mainly due to methane release

Statistics on mining coal

  • Approximately 2 billion tonnes of coal are mined each year, from 3,670 recorded coal mines across 70 countries.
  • Coal mining worldwide emits around 52 million tonnes of methane per year (equivalent to 4,320 million tonnes of CO2*), more than oil (39 million tonnes) or gas (45 million tonnes).
  • New coal mines under development would add another 11.3 million tonnes of methane per year (equivalent to 936 million tonnes of CO2*).
  • Coal mine methane emissions must fall 11% each year until 2030 to meet IEA’s Net Zero 2030 roadmap and avoid climate chaos.
  • Combined, current and proposed UK coal mines amount to 108 million tonnes of coal in total, emitting around 330 million tonnes of CO2, and 1.1 million tonnes of methane (94 million tonnes CO2 equivalent*).
  • 587,000 tonnes of coal was produced from UK coal mines in 2023 ( compared to 651,000 tonnes in 2022, and 1.1 million tonnes in 2021).
  • Domestic coal production fell by 96% from 2012 to 2022 in the UK.

* measured over 20 years, UNECE

Burning coal emits more CO2 than any other fuel source for the amount of energy it produces. Burning coal also pollutes our air with many other hazardous gasses, including... Read more

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