Coal

Coal mining is the process of removing coal from the earth and preparing it to be sold as an energy source. 

Read chapter 3 from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to learn about miners and mining.

Photo taken from ohiodnr.gov

Discover which states in the United States mine for coal. 

Is mining safe?  Find out here.  Make sure to scroll down to Working Conditions.

Want to learn more about mining?  Take a tour at a local mining museum.

Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock composed mostly of carbon and hydrocarbons. It is the most abundant fossil fuel produced in the United States.

Explore Coal Minning for Kids to learn more about coal and how it is mined.

Chart taken from EIA Energy Kids

According to the New York Times, coal is the most important fuel producing electricity in the United States.  Read more from the New York Times.   The newspaper article also discusses not only the United States, but other countries coal consumption. 

One company in the United States, Progress Energy Carolinas, is breaking away from coal and shifting to natural gas.  Click here to read the article.

How about some fast facts about coal from the National Mining Association?

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Take a tour of a coal fired power plant.