Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 26.4 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $2.5tr in 2024.
Trends and Insights
The pandemic and its aftermath on coal miners
- The pandemic outbreak hammered coal miners, as many mines operated in the red. Economic lockdowns subdued downstream markets, resulting in plummeting steel production, falling total electricity generation and disruptions in international trade, severely hindering growth. The hindrance to the industrial sector led to less coal being consumed.
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Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Market conditions push profitability downward
- Coal, despite its environmental implications, has historically been a go-to source of energy because of its availability and cost-effectiveness. Dropping natural gas prices are poised to appeal to power producers who typically rely on coal as a primary energy source. This shift will pressure the coal industry and negatively impact its profit.
Biggest companies in the Global Coal Mining
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 | Profit ($m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
China Shenhua Energy Company Limited | 13,161.8 | N/A | N/A | |
BHP Group Limited | 12,330.9 | N/A | N/A | |
Peabody Energy Corporation | 1,645.2 | N/A | N/A |
To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Thermal coal , Thermal lignite coal and Coking coal. Thermal coal is the largest segment of the Global Coal Mining.
Trends and Insights
Thermal coal helps bring energy to developing countries
- Thermal coal, or steaming coal, is primarily used for electricity generation because of its high energy content. It contains less carbon than coking coal, making it unsuitable for steel production.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
The Global Coal Mining industry mines various types of coal. Most coal mines consist of bituminous coal or anthracite, which are types of black coal. Operators may also mine lignite or brown coal. Mining occurs underground and in surface pits. Industry enterprises may also develop coal mine sites and prepare the coal for sale by washing, screening and sizing it.
What's included in this industry?
Thermal coal miningCoking coal miningThermal lignite coal miningCompanies
China Shenhua Energy Company LimitedBHP Group LimitedPeabody Energy CorporationPurchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
COKING COALGEOSEQUESTRATIONTHERMAL COALLIGNITE COALOPEN CUT MININGLONGWALL MININGBORD-AND-PILLARPerformance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Coal mined by global mining companies plays a vital role in electricity generation and steel manufacturing. Despite environmental concerns, it remains one of the world's larg...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Thermal coal continues to be the most popular type of coal because it is used to generate electricity. It has become a staple in developing countries, particularly China and ...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
- International Trade
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
- Total imports, level and trend
- Total exports, level and trend
- Trade Balance
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
- International trade, including imports by country and exports by country
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
- Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
China is consolidating its coal industry into large, state-owned conglomerates to minimize fragmentation and boost capital for international stock offerings.China holds the di...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Business Locations Charts
- Share of global output by region in 2024
- Share of population compared to output in each region in 2024
- Data tables
- Share of global output by region in 2024
- Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Global, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Global competition among coal miners is principally based on price when considering shipping costs, which usually favor producers closer to major markets. Other vital factors...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
No single company has amassed at least 5.0% of the market. China Shenhua Energy Company Limited is one of the largest companies in the Global Coal Mining industry, however, t...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of China Shenhua Energy Company Limited's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of BHP Group Limited's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Peabody Energy Corporation 's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for China Shenhua Energy Company Limited, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for BHP Group Limited, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Peabody Energy Corporation , and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
All mining activities are impacted by environmental, health and safety, industrial and ancillary legislation. Greenpeace International, World Wildlife Fund Inc. and the Energ...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Global coal mining profits have shot up rapidly after the pandemic. As the price of coal skyrocketed, miners were able to charge more, generating large profits.
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Global Coal Mining industry in Global in 2024?
The market size of the Global Coal Mining industry in Global is $2.5tr in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Global Coal Mining industry in 2024?
There are 8,071 businesses in the Global Coal Mining industry in Global, which has declined at a CAGR of 1.8 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Global Coal Mining industry in Global grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Global Coal Mining industry in Global has been growing at a CAGR of 26.4 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Global Coal Mining industry in Global over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Global Coal Mining industry in Global is expected to decline.
What are the biggest companies in the Global Coal Mining market in Global?
The biggest companies operating in the Global Coal Mining market in Global are China Shenhua Energy Company Limited, BHP Group Limited and Peabody Energy Corporation
What does the Global Coal Mining in Global include?
Thermal coal mining and Coking coal mining are part of the Global Coal Mining industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Global Coal Mining in Global?
The company holding the most market share in Global is China Shenhua Energy Company Limited.
How competitive is the Global Coal Mining industry in Global?
The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Global Coal Mining industry in Global.
Related Industries
Widen your competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Global Oil & Gas Exploration & Production
- Global Iron Ore Mining
- Global Uranium and Related Mining
Complementors
- Global Engineering Services
International industries
- Coal Mining in Canada
- Coal Mining in New Zealand
- Hard Coal Mining in the UK
- Coal Mining in China
Methodology
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Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources globally include:
- United Nations Comtrade
- Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development
- World Bank
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
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