The Importance Of Coal

Coal is the most important fossil fuel around the world and vital for its energy security. In the process of development, coal mining is one of the major industries, which is contributing towards the pollution of the environment. The power sector is the bigger consumer followed by industrial sector (steel and cement manufacturing units). It also assures the energy supply which is important for any country's development. Coal is still remains essential in producing a diverse and balanced energy mix. It is a major fuel generating electricity worldwide. Coal is poised with different toxins which affect the environment and one of the key challenges coal industries is facing today. Coal is less effective and energy efficient compared to other fossil

In locations where coal beds are thick and near the surface, mining costs and coal prices tend to be lower than in locations where the beds are thinner and deeper. The higher cost of coal from underground mines reflects the more difficult mining conditions and the need for more miners. It’s become common to blame the flagging fortunes of coal mining companies on low natural gas prices that have convinced many U.S. utilities and industries to slash their use of coal. But there’s another reason for the woes of mining firms: The cost of mining coal has been going up. That’s because of rising costs of transportation, explosives, wages and geology. In most areas, companies first dig coal from areas that are easiest to access and that have the thickest, richest seams. Over time, however, it becomes more expensive to mine and more difficult to do so profitably. Once coal is mined, it must be transported to consumers. Transportation costs add to the delivered price of coal. In some cases, such as in long-distance shipments of Wyoming coal to power plants in the East, transportation costs are more than the price of coal at the mine.Most coal is transported by train, barge, truck, or a combination of these modes. All of these transportation modes use diesel fuel. Increases in oil and diesel fuel prices can significantly affect the cost of transportation, which affects the final delivered price of