In this piece, we will take a look at the five countries with the biggest coal reserves. For more countries, head on over to 20 Countries With the Biggest Coal Reserves.
5. Republic of India
Coal Reserves as of 2021: million short tonnes
The Republic of India is a South Asian country that is the world’s second largest in terms of population and the third largest economy in purchasing power parity terms. Coal is the largest source for Indian electricity, and despite producing hefty amounts of it for itself, the country also has to import a lot of coal for its steel production requirements. India’s coal sector is controlled primarily by the government, with few large private players.
4. People’s Republic of China
Coal Reserves as of 2021: 157,487 million short tonnes
The People’s Republic of China is the world’s most populous nation which also has the largest economy on the globe in terms of purchasing power parity. China is also the world’s largest coal producer, and the largest consumer as well. The country produced a whopping 4,126 million tons of coal in 2021, larger than the next four countries combined. A major Chinese coal company is China Shenhua Energy Company Limited (OTCMKTS:CSUAY).
3. The Commonwealth of Australia
Coal Reserves as of 2021: 165,596 million short tonnes
The Commonwealth of Australia, or Australia, is a developed country with vast natural resources. Like some other developed countries, most of Australia’s electricity is also produced through coal. However, it has been reducing its coal usage over the years, and between 2013 and 2020, Australia had reduced the percentage of electricity generated through coal by 3.6%, replacing it by wind and solar power.
2. Russian Federation
Coal Reserves as of 2021: 178,757 million short tonnes
The Russian Federation is the largest country in the world in terms of landmass, and one that has large amounts of oil, gas, coal, and other minerals. Russian companies are among the largest suppliers of gas all around, and it is also the world’s sixth largest producer of coal. Additionally, while Russian coal is used by some countries such as Turkey and India to generate electricity, less than one fifth of Russia’s own power requirement is met by the fuel. Russian exports are also under scrutiny this year, due to its Ukraine invasion which has seen Europe diversify its energy supply chain away from the country.
1. United States of America
Coal Reserves as of 2021: 251,539 million short tonnes
The United States of America, or the U.S., is a global superpower and a country that export both technology products and primary products. America is the world’s largest exporter of several commodities such as grain, and it also has the world’s largest coal reserves. American companies that generate power through coal have seen their fortunes rise this year as the Russian invasion of Ukraine brings coal back, with some of these firms being Peabody Energy Corporation (NYSE:BTU), Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. (NASDAQ:ARLP) and CONSOL Energy Inc. (NYSE:CEIX).
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