Coal is not typically referred to as “ore” in the traditional sense, as it is not a mineral but rather a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock composed mostly of carbon and hydrocarbons. However, it is often mined and processed similarly to metallic ores.

Coal primarily consists of carbon, along with varying amounts of other elements such as hydrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen. It forms from the remains of plants that lived and died millions of years ago and underwent burial and transformation under pressure and heat.

Coal is extracted from the Earth through mining methods such as Surface Mining which includes strip mining and open-pit mining, where coal seams are exposed and removed using heavy equipment. Underground Mining: Involves tunneling into the Earth to access coal seams, typically using shafts or drifts.

Coal remains a critical energy source globally despite concerns over its environmental impact. The transition towards cleaner energy sources and technologies is influencing the future of coal mining and its role in global energy markets.