In the early 18th century, the primary use of coal was to burn it in stoves to heat homes and factories. The industrial revolution saw a large increase in coal usage to power manufacturing plants. However, beginning in the 1940s, coal usage doubled with each decade, as its versatility became more apparent.

Coal is a great source of energy for many industries even still today. As you consider using coal to power your production facility, consider the following about coal basics:

1. Coal manufacturers provide a product that powers more than half of the United States.

2. Heating coal to very high temperatures produces coke, a more valuable heating agent.

3. Coal suppliers provide coal for many product manufacturing plants.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn about how coal provides power throughout the United States

Many forms of coal, including anthracite, are a major part of the electrical power industry. Coal power plants produce approximately 56% of the electricity used in the United States. These power plants burn the coal, which produces steam. That steam powers turbines and generators, which in turn, produces electricity.

I recommend: American Coal Foundation provides detailed information about coal-generated electricity. World Coal Institute offers annual reports on coal uses as well as the world’s top coal producer.

Gather information about coke, a strong heating agent from coal

When manufacturers heat soft coal to extremely high temperatures without the presence of air, the result is a nearly pure carbon agent called coke, with a production rate of .7 tons of coke per ton of coal burned. The heat produced by coke is higher than any other form of coal. The use of coke is most widely found in steel manufacturing plants (for buildings, bridges and vehicles) and a variety of chemical processing plants.

I recommend: Find information on a number of coke-oven plants on SteelLinks.com. Consider membership with the American Coke and Coal Chemicals Institute to help advance interest in the industry.

Understand the many products manufactured using coal

Blacksmiths use coal as the heat source for softening metals for molding. Manufacturers of chemicals, cement, paper, ceramics and other metals use coal to power their machinery. Additionally, companies that produce plastics, medicines, fertilizers and tar use the methanol and ethylene, which results from the burning of coal, in their products.

I recommend: Visit the Energy Information Administration for reports and information on coal price, production, news, distribution and consumption. It also provides information on stocks so that you can determine the best coal stocks to buy. Anthracite coal producers, like Reading Anthracite, provide coal for many chemical and manufacturing companies.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many industrial and manufacturing companies use anthracite coal because it has the highest carbon count of all coal types and thus burns more efficiently.

Coal powers our nation’s energy companies and is an essential raw material in the steel and iron industries. However, you may be a company that needs smaller amounts of coal for its heat producing properties. Or, you may need a by-product of coal for manufacturing plastics, synthetic fibers, fertilizers, medicines and other products. The price of coal, energy output, and how clean each type burns are factors to consider.

Coal is classified into four main types by the amount or carbon it contains and the amount of heat energy it produces. You'll need to identify the type of coal you need, process it and transport it to your company’s location. Here are the types of coal available for consideration:

1. Lignite has a low energy content and is mainly burned at power plants.

2. Bituminous is the most abundant type of coal, mined mostly in West Virginia, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania.

3. Subbituminous coal, produced mainly in North Dakota and Wyoming, accounts for a large portion of the U.S. coal industry.

4. Anthracite is used commercially in manufacturing and chemical industries.

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Find producers of lignite and bituminous coal

Lignite and bituminous coal are mined around the Appalachian mountains of the U.S. These types of high BTU coal are used for generating electricity, and as a raw material in the iron and steel industries.

I recommend: Consol Energy is the largest bituminous coal manufacturer in the country, operating 17 mining complexes in six states. Check if they have a mining operation near your company to reduce transportation costs. Arch Coal is one of the largest coal distributors in the U.S. You can select a specific mining operation to see what method of transportation they use.

Identify subbituminous coal suppliers

Subbituminous coal manufacturers are mainly located in the mountain states of North Dakota, Wyoming and Montana. This type of coal contains more carbon than lignite but less than bituminous. It can also burn cleaner and produce less sulfur.

I recommend: Union Pacific has a directory of high BTU mines operating in Southern Wyoming which produce subbituminous coal. Westmoreland Coal Company has several mining operations in Wyoming and Montana. They have sales offices in Colorado and Minnesota to serve customers across the country.

Locate anthracite coal producers

Anthracite coal has the highest carbon content of any type. Mined primarily in the Northeast and Midwest, anthracite is mainly used for domestic fuel and industrial applications. The anthracite coal price can be high, but it is also very energy efficient.

I recommend: Reading Anthracite has numerous dealers across the Northeast and Midwest. They sell coal to clients with many needs, like heating, metallurgical refining, power plant fuel and water purification. Penn Keystone Coal is one of the biggest coal producers in the east, selling up to 23 tons of hard or soft coal to anyone from New England to North Carolina.

Keep track of the price of coal

If your business purchases and trades coal or coal stocks, the price of coal is very important. It fluctuates as often as the price of oil or any other commodity. You need someone with expert advice on what the coal market will do.

I recommend: The Energy Information Administration provides the current import and export prices of coal, including steam coal and coking coal. Global Insight offers multiple services to track coal prices, including monthly and quarterly analyses.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Buy anthracite or other high-carbon types of coal one you can afford it. It's more energy efficient and will help you meet environmental regulations.

In the coal mining industry, safety is the number one concern for employers and employees. When it comes to mining, your safety procedures could mean the difference between life and death. Teaching employees the proper safety procedures will not only ensure you are within government regulations but will also reduce the risk of injury on the job. Companies that mine coal need to stay abreast of new safety information, in order to keep healthy workers.

When dealing with coal safety you first need to find all laws and regulations regarding the safety of miners. Then you can review other companies' safety procedures and safety information. When employees are ready to train, you can purchase or rent safety training videos to educate employees on procedures and equipment for working safely in a coal mine.

1. Follow laws and regulations for coal manufacturers.

2. Locate procedures and information for coal safety.

3. Find training videos for coal producers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find laws and regulations for coal manufacturers

All coal manufacturers most follow a set of safety regulation put into place by the federal government. These regulations are enforced by inspectors, that can fine or temporarily close companies for non-compliance. Keep well informed of these laws to ensure your employees are safe.

I recommend: Read Federal regulations for coal and anthracite coal producers at Mine Safety and Health Administration. Read the United States Code for the coal market. Open CRS has congressional reports on mining and coal safety. The American Coal Foundation has information on various laws that affect the coal industry.

Read information on coal safety and procedures

This information provides tips and advice on coal safety as well as statistical information. Learning how others deal with safety issues gives you a chance to learn from others procedures to create your own.

I recommend: Learn about safety for coal suppliers at The National Mining Association. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has information on new ways to enhance the safety of miners.

Purchase training videos for coal producers

Training Videos allow you to training many employees at once or repeatedly. These videos cover all aspects of coal mining and safety and present them in an educational way. Coal mining safety videos can be purchased or rented depending on your companies needs.

I recommend: Locate training videos for coal price as well as on-site training at U.S. Department of Labor Mine Safety and Health Administration. The Colorado Mine Safety & Training Program offers a wide variety of training videos for any top coal producer. Coastal Technologies has safety training videos for anthracite coal for sale or rent.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Some insurance companies give discounts to companies that provide safety training to all employees. Contact you insurance company to find out how you can receive the discount.