Lower over the period
Canada Coal Production moved from 62.40 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 48.60 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−22.1%), an average of −3.1% a year. The series high was 62.40 Million Tonnes in 2015 and the low 46.10 Million Tonnes in 2020.
What Canada Coal Production shows
Canada Coal Production was 48.60 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 4.1% on 2022. The Coal Production dataset for Canada from 2015 to 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of the country's coal production volumes, mining activity, and developments across the coal sector. Measured in million tonnes, the dataset captures annual coal output and serves as a key indicator of mining performance, resource utilization, industrial production, and energy supply.
A 26.1% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2015) and low (2020) is 16.30 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −13.3% in 2020.
Ranks 14 of 30 countries covered
Among the 30 countries in this dataset, Canada ranks 14 for 2023, behind China (4,710 Million Tonnes) and India (1,011 Million Tonnes). It accounts for 0.5% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
Canada Coal Production by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Million Tonnes.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Million Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 48.60 | +4.1% |
| 2022 | 46.70 | −1.9% |
| 2021 | 47.60 | +3.3% |
| 2020 Trough | 46.10 | −13.3% |
| 2019 | 53.20 | −3.3% |
| 2018 | 55.00 | −9.2% |
| 2017 | 60.60 | −2.9% |
| 2016 | 62.40 | 0% |
| 2015Peak | 62.40 | — |
Regional context
How Canada compares in North America
Coal Production by country, 2023, Million Tonnes. Canada is highlighted.
1U.S.526.5
2Canada48.60
3Mexico5.60
Data definition
Inclusions and exclusions
Coal Production — - Coal Production refers to the total amount of coal extracted from surface and underground mines within a country during a given year. It is typically measured in million tonnes and represents the output of raw coal before processing or consumption. The indicator includes the extraction of various coal types used for energy generation and industrial applications, reflecting a country's coal resource utilization, mining activity, and contribution to domestic and global coal supply. Coal Production is widely used to assess the performance of the mining sector, energy security, industrial development, and the availability of coal as a primary energy source.
The data includes the production of all major types of coal, including anthracite, bituminous coal, sub-bituminous coal, lignite (brown coal), and other commercially recoverable coal grades, where reported under national energy statistics. It covers coal extracted from both surface (open-pit) and underground mining operations for use in electricity generation, steel production, cement manufacturing, industrial processes, and other commercial applications. Production from both public and private mining operations is included, regardless of whether the coal is consumed domestically or exported. Data is compiled using standardized international energy reporting methodologies based on national mining statistics and industry sources, enabling consistent comparison of coal production across countries and over time.
The data excludes coal consumption, coal imports and exports, coal reserves, coal stock changes, and coal used after processing into secondary energy products. It also excludes coal-derived products such as coke, coke oven gas, coal tar, coal bed methane, synthetic fuels produced through coal-to-liquids (CTL) technologies, and other processed coal products unless specifically included in the reporting methodology. The indicator does not measure mining productivity, coal quality, calorific value, environmental impacts, or greenhouse gas emissions associated with coal production or use. Minor differences may occur due to variations in national reporting standards, coal classifications, moisture adjustments, and statistical estimation methodologies across countries.
About this indicator
Coal Production — - Coal Production refers to the total amount of coal extracted from surface and underground mines within a country during a given year. It is typically measured in million tonnes and represents the output of raw coal before processing or consumption. The indicator includes the extraction of various coal types used for energy generation and industrial applications, reflecting a country's coal resource utilization, mining activity, and contribution to domestic and global coal supply. Coal Production is widely used to assess the performance of the mining sector, energy security, industrial development, and the availability of coal as a primary energy source.
It enables analysis of production trends, export potential, and the evolving role of coal within Canada's mining and energy industries.
Canada produced 62.4 million tonnes of coal in 2015, with production remaining unchanged at 62.4 million tonnes in 2016. Output declined slightly to 60.6 million tonnes in 2017 before decreasing to 55.0 million tonnes in 2018. Production continued its downward trend, reaching 53.2 million tonnes in 2019 and 46.1 million tonnes in 2020, reflecting weaker market conditions and lower industrial demand. Coal production recovered modestly to 47.6 million tonnes in 2021, edged down to 46.7 million tonnes in 2022, and increased to 48.6 million tonnes in 2023, indicating relative stabilization following earlier declines.
Overall, the dataset shows a gradual reduction in Canada's coal production over the review period, although production remained resilient in recent years. The trend reflects changing domestic energy policies, reduced thermal coal demand, continued metallurgical coal production for steelmaking, and evolving international market conditions. Export demand continued to support production from major mining regions despite declining domestic coal consumption.
The dataset supports analysis of Canada's coal mining industry, production performance, export competitiveness, and long-term resource utilization. It is useful for market research, investment analysis, infrastructure planning, policy development, and strategic decision-making by industry participants, researchers, and policymakers monitoring developments in Canada's coal sector.
- Indicator
- Coal Production
- Country
- Canada
- Region
- North America
- Unit
- Million Tonnes
- Coverage
- 2015–2023, annual
- Category
- Energy & Power
- Last updated
- July 2026
- Source
- energyinst.org
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Frequently asked questions
What is Canada Coal Production?
Definition- Coal Production refers to the total amount of coal extracted from surface and underground mines within a country during a given year. It is typically measured in million tonnes and represents the output of raw coal before processing or consumption. The indicator includes the extraction of various coal types used for energy generation and industrial applications, reflecting a country's coal resource utilization, mining activity, and contribution to domestic and global coal supply. Coal Production is widely used to assess the performance of the mining sector, energy security, industrial development, and the availability of coal as a primary energy source.
What was Canada Coal Production in 2023?
Canada Coal Production was 48.60 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 4.1% on 2022.
How has Canada Coal Production changed between 2015 and 2023?
Canada Coal Production moved from 62.40 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 48.60 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−22.1%), an average of −3.1% a year. The series high was 62.40 Million Tonnes in 2015 and the low 46.10 Million Tonnes in 2020.
Which year had the highest and lowest Canada Coal Production?
The highest value was 62.40 Million Tonnes in 2015 and the lowest was 46.10 Million Tonnes in 2020.
What does the Canada Coal Production data include and exclude?
Included: The data includes the production of all major types of coal, including anthracite, bituminous coal, sub-bituminous coal, lignite (brown coal), and other commercially recoverable coal grades, where reported under national energy statistics. It covers coal extracted from both surface (open-pit) and underground mining operations for use in electricity generation, steel production, cement manufacturing, industrial processes, and other commercial applications. Production from both public and private mining operations is included, regardless of whether the coal is consumed domestically or exported. Data is compiled using standardized international energy reporting methodologies based on national mining statistics and industry sources, enabling consistent comparison of coal production across countries and over time. Excluded: The data excludes coal consumption, coal imports and exports, coal reserves, coal stock changes, and coal used after processing into secondary energy products. It also excludes coal-derived products such as coke, coke oven gas, coal tar, coal bed methane, synthetic fuels produced through coal-to-liquids (CTL) technologies, and other processed coal products unless specifically included in the reporting methodology. The indicator does not measure mining productivity, coal quality, calorific value, environmental impacts, or greenhouse gas emissions associated with coal production or use. Minor differences may occur due to variations in national reporting standards, coal classifications, moisture adjustments, and statistical estimation methodologies across countries.
Where does the Canada Coal Production data come from?
The series is sourced from energyinst.org (https://www.energyinst.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/1542714/684_EI_Stat_Review_V16_DIGITAL.pdf). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Million Tonnes.
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