Damon Mcknight
Black coal, also known as anthracite or bituminous coal, is predominantly found in central Queensland and the Sydney Basin in New South Wales, Australia. It is also found in smaller deposits in Western Australia, Tasmania, and South Australia. Australia is the world's largest exporter of black coal, with approximately 70% of its production being exported, mainly to Japan. The majority of Australian black coal is mined in Queensland and New South Wales, with significant resources also found in the Surat, Galilee, and Tarong basins in Queensland, and the Gunnedah Basin in New South Wales. Black coal is used for electricity generation and in the production of iron, steel, alumina, and other industrial processes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of coal | Anthracite, bituminous coal, sub-bituminous coal |
| Colour | Black |
| Other names | Black coal, metallurgical coal, coking coal, steaming coal |
| Composition | Sedimentary rock formed from peat |
| Carbon content | High |
| Energy content | High |
| Moisture content | Low |
| Formation | Formed in sedimentary basins, coal progresses in rank from lignite, to sub-bituminous coal, to bituminous coal, and finally to anthracite |
| Age | Permian to Jurassic (299 to 145 million years old) |
| Regions found in Australia | Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia, Tasmania, Victoria |
| Basins found in | Sydney Basin, Gunnedah Basin, Surat Basin, Galilee Basin, Tarong Basin, Bowen Basin, Maryborough Basin, Laura Basin, Clarence-Moreton Basin, Gloucester Basin, Collie Basin, Fingal Basin, Kimbolton Basin |
| Economic reserves location | 60% in Queensland, 25% in New South Wales |
| Exports | 70% of mined black coal is exported, mainly to Japan, India, Korea, and Taiwan |
| Use | Used for electricity generation, production of iron, steel, alumina, manufacturing, industrial purposes, cement manufacture, paper manufacture |
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What You'll Learn
- Black coal is found in Queensland and New South Wales
- It is also found in smaller amounts in Western Australia, Tasmania and South Australia
- Australia is the world's largest exporter of black coal
- It is mostly exported to Japan, China, South Korea and Taiwan
- Black coal is used for electricity generation and in the iron and steel industries
Black coal is found in Queensland and New South Wales
Black coal, also known as anthracite or bituminous coal, is predominantly found in Queensland and New South Wales in Australia. It was first discovered in Newcastle, New South Wales, in 1791 and mining began in 1799. Black coal was also mined near Ipswich, Queensland, in 1825.
In Queensland, significant resources of black coal have been identified in the Bowen, Surat, Galilee, and Tarong Basins. The Bowen Basin, in particular, is known for its high-grade coking coal, which is used in the steel industry. The Surat Basin extends from Queensland into New South Wales, providing coal resources in both states.
In New South Wales, black coal is found in the Sydney Basin, Gunnedah Basin, and Gloucester Basin, among other coal basins. The Sydney Basin, which includes the Illawarra region, is a significant source of high-grade coking coal. The Port of Newcastle in New South Wales is the world's largest and most efficient coal-handling operation, exporting black coal to various countries.
Australia is a leading exporter of black coal, with approximately 70% of its production being exported, mainly to Asian countries such as Japan, India, South Korea, and Taiwan. In 2016, Australia exported 389 Mt of black coal, contributing to its position as the largest exporter globally. The high-quality black coal from Australia is in demand for industrial and manufacturing processes in Asian countries.
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It is also found in smaller amounts in Western Australia, Tasmania and South Australia
Black coal, also known as anthracite or bituminous coal, is found in smaller amounts in Western Australia, Tasmania, and South Australia. While the largest black coal resources occur in Queensland and New South Wales, these three states also have deposits of this valuable resource.
In Western Australia, the first coal deposits were discovered in 1846 at Irwin River, in what is now known as the Coalseam Conservation Park. Today, smaller but still locally significant reserves of black coal can be found around Collie in Western Australia.
In South Australia, black coal can be found at Leigh Creek, which is part of the vast Eromanga Basin coalfield that stretches across Queensland and New South Wales.
In Tasmania, black coal deposits were discovered at Plunkett Point in 1833. Currently, the Fingal and Kimbolton areas of Tasmania contain economically viable reserves of black coal.
The presence of black coal in these states, albeit in smaller quantities, highlights the widespread distribution of this valuable natural resource across Australia.
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Australia is the world's largest exporter of black coal
Australia is a leading producer and exporter of black coal, also known as anthracite or bituminous coal. In 2010, the country was the world's largest coal exporter, and it has retained its position as a top exporter since then. Australia's exports of black coal have been valued at tens of billions of dollars in recent years, with export earnings totalling $113.8 billion in 2021-22, up from $39.2 billion in 2020-21.
Black coal is mined in Queensland and New South Wales, with about 60% of known economic reserves located in the former and around 25% in the latter. The remaining reserves are found in Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania. The majority of Australian black coal is of the bituminous variety, with a smaller amount of sub-bituminous coal also classified as black coal. This coal is used for both domestic power generation and export, with the latter accounting for around 77% of production.
The history of coal mining in Australia dates back to the early 19th century, with the country exporting several million tonnes of coal annually by 1901. By the 1940s, the industry was well-established, with coal mines experiencing significant strikes. In the 1980s, the ratio of thermal coal exported to Asia increased significantly, and Australia became the number one coal exporter in 1984.
Today, Australia has nine major coal export ports, with the Port of Newcastle in New South Wales being the world's largest and most efficient coal handling operation. The primary destinations for Australian coal exports are Asian countries, including Japan, South Korea, India, China, and Taiwan. In 2020, exports of coal accounted for 1% of national revenue, with a total value of A$55 billion.
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It is mostly exported to Japan, China, South Korea and Taiwan
Australia is the world's leading exporter of coking coal, a type of black coal. In 2021-2022, about 55% of its coal exports were thermal coal, with the remainder being metallurgical coal. The primary destinations for its coal exports are Asian countries, including Japan, China, South Korea, and Taiwan.
Japan has long been a major importer of Australian coal, with Australia supplying around half of all its exports to the country by 1986. In March 2024, shipments of coal to Japan from Australia were 6.1 million tons, the lowest since April 2017. However, in April 2024, Australia shipped 6.87 million metric tons of coal to China, overtaking Japan as its top coal market for the first time in over four years. This shift in dynamics may be due to the improving political relationship between Australia and China following the election of the centre-left Labor Party in May 2022.
South Korea and Taiwan are also significant importers of Australian coal, although their demand is decreasing as they transition to clean energy sources. In 2023, coal export volumes to South Korea fell by 24%, and by 11% to Taiwan. South Korea plans to replace several aging coal power plants with carbon-free power sources, while Taiwan's coal use in electricity has been steadily declining as renewable sources such as wind and solar power gain traction.
Overall, the demand for Australian coal in Japan, China, South Korea, and Taiwan is subject to various economic, political, and environmental factors. While Australia has historically relied on these countries as key export markets, the future of its coal exports may depend on its ability to adapt to the shifting dynamics in the Asian market.
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Black coal is used for electricity generation and in the iron and steel industries
Black coal, also known as anthracite, bituminous coal, or sub-bituminous coal, is predominantly found in Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. In Queensland, it is mined in the Bowen, Surat, Galilee, and Tarong Basins, while in New South Wales, it is mined in the Sydney, Gunnedah, Surat, and Gloucester Basins. Smaller deposits are also found in Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania.
Black coal is used for electricity generation, both domestically and for exports. In 2017, about 60% of Australia's electricity requirements were produced by coal. In 2021, coal accounted for 64% of energy production and 32% of the Total Energy Supply (TES), with 93% of its consumption by the heat and electricity generation sector.
Black coal is also used in the iron and steel industries, where it is known as coking coal or metallurgical coal. Coking coal is used in the production of steel, alumina, manufacturing, and other chemicals. In 2016, Australia was the biggest net exporter of coal, with 32% of global exports. The primary destinations for its coal exports are Asian countries, including Japan, Korea, India, and Taiwan.
In addition to electricity generation and the iron and steel industries, black coal is also used in cement manufacture, alumina refining, paper manufacture, and other industrial processes. Australia has a significant impact on the world coal trade due to its proximity to Asian markets, where demand for coal is expected to grow.
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Frequently asked questions
Black coal is predominantly found in Queensland and New South Wales, with smaller deposits in Western Australia, Tasmania, and South Australia.
Black coal is used for electricity generation and in the production of iron, steel, alumina, paper, cement, and other industrial processes.
In 2016, Australia mined 566.3 million tonnes of black coal.
Australia exports black coal to several countries, including Japan, India, South Korea, Taiwan, and China.
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