Metallurgical Coal
About Metallurgical Coal
Metallurgical coal, also known as coking coal, is an essential input for blast furnace steelmaking and cannot be substituted by thermal coal. It is heated to produce coke, which serves as both a fuel and a chemical reductant in iron smelting. Australia is the world's largest exporter, and there are currently limited commercial alternatives for primary steel production at scale.
Primary Uses
Top Producing Countries
Quick Facts
- Symbol
- C
- Atomic Number
- 6
- Category
- Energy Mineral
- Criticality Level
- Medium
- Supply Risk
- Medium
- Top Producer
- Australia
- USGS Critical List
- Not Listed
- EU CRM List
- Listed
Explore Metallurgical Coal In Depth
Dive into detailed analysis across 11 key topics covering every aspect of the Metallurgical Coal value chain.
Uses & Applications
Discover the primary industrial, technological, and commercial applications of Metallurgical Coal across key sectors.
Supply Chain
Trace the Metallurgical Coal supply chain from mine to market, including key intermediaries, processing hubs, and trade flows.
Mining & Processing
Learn how Metallurgical Coal is extracted, concentrated, and processed into usable forms for downstream industries.
Refining & Grade Specs
Explore the refining methods, purity grades, and technical specifications that define Metallurgical Coal products.
Recycling
Assess the recycling potential, current recovery rates, and circular economy opportunities for Metallurgical Coal.
Substitutes
Evaluate possible substitutes and alternative materials that could reduce dependence on Metallurgical Coal.
Investing
Understand the investment landscape for Metallurgical Coal, including equities, ETFs, futures, and direct exposure strategies.
Price
Analyze Metallurgical Coal pricing mechanisms, historical trends, benchmarks, and the factors that drive market volatility.
Companies
Identify the major miners, processors, and technology companies involved in the Metallurgical Coal value chain.
Projects
Review the significant mining and processing projects shaping the future supply of Metallurgical Coal worldwide.
Risks
Examine the supply risks, geopolitical vulnerabilities, and strategic concerns associated with Metallurgical Coal.
Return to the full Mineral Library to explore other critical and strategic minerals.