Uses & Applications

Applications and End-Uses for Metallurgical Coal

Metallurgical Coal (C) is a medium-criticality energy mineral with annual global production of approximately 1.1 billion tonnes. 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.

Key Applications

The primary end-uses of Metallurgical Coal span multiple sectors. The following applications represent the most significant sources of global demand:

• Steelmaking (blast furnace coke) - Key alternatives include Hydrogen direct reduction (H2-DRI). Green hydrogen can replace coking coal in DRI-EAF steelmaking but costs 30-50% more at current H2 prices; transition will take decades due to blast furnace infrastructure lifespan
• Iron smelting - Metallurgical Coal is valued in iron smelting for its unique physical and chemical properties that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Carbon electrode production - Metallurgical Coal is valued in carbon electrode production for its unique physical and chemical properties that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Foundry operations - Metallurgical Coal is valued in foundry operations for its unique physical and chemical properties that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.

Product Forms and Specifications

Metallurgical Coal is commercially available in 3 primary product forms, each serving different industrial requirements:

Demand Outlook

Metallurgical Coal is recognized on the EU Critical Raw Materials List as essential for European industrial competitiveness. Growing demand from electrification, digitalization, and defense modernization is expected to place additional pressure on the Metallurgical Coal supply chain through the end of this decade.