Smithing coal
Smithing coal occupies a special place within the broad family of coals: it is the grade of coal historically and presently prized for metalworking, forge heat, and for producing coke…
Dry steam coal
This article explores the characteristics, occurrence, economic importance and industrial role of dry steam coal — a variety of coal primarily used for heat and power generation. Dry steam coal…
Lean coal
This article explores the technical, economic and geopolitical dimensions of what is commonly referred to as “lean coal” — lower-energy, lower-volatile types of coal often used for power generation rather…
Fat coal
Fat coal — a traditional term used in many coal-producing countries — denotes a high-quality type of coal valued for its energy content and physical behavior during heating. Often associated…
Black coal
This article examines black coal — also known as hard coal — its geological origins, global distribution, methods of extraction, economic importance, statistical overview, role in industry, environmental impacts and…
Industrial coal
Industrial coal plays a central role in modern economies as both an energy source and a feedstock for a range of industrial processes. This article explores the geology, distribution, extraction,…
Peat coal
Peat, often called peat coal in some regional contexts, occupies a unique place between organic soil and true coal both geologically and economically. Formed over thousands of years from partially…
Brown coal
This article explores brown coal (commonly called lignite) in detail: its geological origins, where it is found and mined, its economic and industrial roles, statistical snapshots of production and consumption,…
Lignite
This article explores lignite — the lowest-rank form of coal often called “brown coal” — examining its geological origins, physical and chemical properties, where it occurs and is mined, its…
Sub-bituminous C
Sub-bituminous C is a specific rank of coal that plays a quiet but important role in global energy systems. Positioned between lignite and higher-rank bituminous coals, sub-bituminous C combines relatively…
