If you do business in the coal industry, then coal information resources can help you get the most from your business. As with any industry, it's important that you learn the latest coal industry information so that you know what direction to take your business.

Coal information can come from a variety of sources and it's a good idea to research a few different coal industry references before making decisions. Occasionally, you may find that different sources disagree about the facts and you need to research more for accurate information.

With coal industry resources, you can:

1. Learn about the coal industry and how it can benefit your business. Perhaps you are a business owner that's looking for energy sources. Coal information resources can help you decide if coal is the right energy source for you.

2. Expand your business. With constant access to coal mine information, you'll be able to see new directions to take your business and learn new techniques that can save you money.

3. Stay up to date on current laws and regulations. Workplace safety is a serious concern in the mining industry. Resources for the coal industry should discuss the latest methods for keeping your workers safe.

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

Turn to the government as the definitive coal information resource

When you want to know about industry statistics and trends, you should first try the U.S. government. The government maintains yearly statistics and other data for a variety of industries, including the coal industry. This is a great starting place for any research endeavors.

I recommend: The Energy Information Administration presents the official statistics from the U.S. government. Here you can find import and export statistics, production levels and price fluctuations. You can also sign up for an email list to receive regular updates as new data becomes available.

Contact professional organizations for coal industry resources

Professional associations are another great source of information. They have access to coal industry references and present information on their websites. As a member, you could gain access to more up-to-date information.

I recommend: The National Mining Association offers a number of statistics for the coal industry on their website. Individual states that have a large coal industry also have their own organizations with info about coal mining. For example, the Virginia Mining Association offers PDF files about mining safety.

Subscribe to magazines to have coal industry information delivered to you

If you find that you're too busy to go searching for the latest information about coal mining, you should have it simply delivered to you. Magazines offer an excellent resource for information.

I recommend: Subscribe to Coal Age Magazine to learn about the industry. Coalpeople Magazine offers an in-depth look at the people that make the coal industry possible.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you find it difficult to interpret coal industry resources and statistics, hire a research marketing company to interpret the data and compile it into an easy-to-understand format.