U.S. coal production declined in 2018

The EIA estimates that total U.S. coal production in 2018 was 755 million tonnes, down 20 million from 2017 and 36% less than in the previous decade. Coal prices rose in 2018 in three of the five major coal mining regions, especially in the Northern and Central Appalachians. Although US coal exports increased by about 10 million tonnes in 2018, volumes were not large enough to offset the decline in US coal consumption, which led to a decline in coal production.

Of the five major coal mining basins, two saw an increase in production in 2018 compared to 2017. In the Central Appalachian and Illinois basins, production increased by 4% (3 million tons) and 2% (2 million tons), respectively. The Rocky Mountain region saw the largest decline in production share, down 12% (6 million Megapixels) from 2017. The Powder and North Appalachian basins also declined by 3% and 2%, respectively.