About Coal Mining

Coal was one of man's earliest sources of heat and light. The Chinese were known to have dug it more than 3,000 years ago. The first recorded discovery of coal in this country was by French explorers on the Illinois River in 1679, and the earliest recorded commercial mining in the U.S. occurred near Richmond, Virginia, in 1750. In the nineteenth century, coal grew rapidly in importance, and from 1850 to 1950 it was our most important energy fuel.

Today, coal is enjoying a renaissance as a multi billion dollar a year industry, accounting for over half of our electric power generation, supplying coke for the steel industry, and providing a source of foreign exchange as an export commodity.

An abundant supply of reasonably priced, experts estimate that more than 80 percent of the recoverable fossil fuels take the form of coal. Coal is so abundant that we can meet our needs for another 250-300 years at the current rate of use.

Today's coal industry has been transformed from the image people remember now, we produce coal using modern, sophisticated technologies and equipment.

Today, coal is used to generate almost all of Mexico’s electric power. Forecasters predict an even more robust role for coal in the future as electric power continues to grow as a major source of energy. Equally important, work on new coal combustion technologies is advancing in response to society's demands that a clean environment be maintained, and researchers in industry, universities and the government are continuing their efforts to develop new ways for this ancient gift to continue serving modern society.