Lower over the period
New Zealand Coal Production moved from 3.40 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 2.60 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−23.5%), an average of −3.3% a year. The series high was 3.40 Million Tonnes in 2015 and the low 2.60 Million Tonnes in 2022.
What New Zealand Coal Production shows
New Zealand Coal Production was 2.60 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 0% on 2022. The Coal Production dataset of New Zealand from 2015 to 2023 provides a detailed overview of the country’s domestic coal mining activity, highlighting annual production volumes, output trends, and developments across the coal sector. Measured in million tonnes, the dataset represents the total quantity of coal produced from domestic mines each year.
A 23.5% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2015) and low (2022) is 0.800 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −14.7% in 2016.
Ranks 26 of 30 countries covered
Among the 30 countries in this dataset, New Zealand ranks 26 for 2023, behind China (4,710 Million Tonnes) and India (1,011 Million Tonnes). It accounts for 0% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
New Zealand 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 | 2.60 | 0% |
| 2022 Trough | 2.60 | −10.3% |
| 2021 | 2.90 | +3.6% |
| 2020 | 2.80 | −6.7% |
| 2019 | 3.00 | −6.3% |
| 2018 | 3.20 | +10.3% |
| 2017 | 2.90 | 0% |
| 2016 | 2.90 | −14.7% |
| 2015Peak | 3.40 | — |
Regional context
How New Zealand compares in Asia-Pacific
Coal Production by country, 2023, Million Tonnes. New Zealand is highlighted.
1China4,710
2India1,011
3Indonesia775.2
4Australia455.8
5Mongolia83.20
6Vietnam48.20
7Thailand12.80
8New Zealand2.60
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 serves as an important indicator of mining activity, reflecting changes in production levels, industrial demand, and the contribution of coal to New Zealand’s energy and industrial sectors.
New Zealand produced 3.4 million tonnes of coal in 2015, with production declining to 2.9 million tonnes in 2016 and remaining at the same level in 2017. Output increased slightly to 3.2 million tonnes in 2018 before easing to 3.0 million tonnes in 2019 and 2.8 million tonnes in 2020. Production recovered marginally to 2.9 million tonnes in 2021 before declining to 2.6 million tonnes in both 2022 and 2023.
Overall, the dataset indicates relatively stable coal production with a gradual downward trend over the review period. The decline reflects changing energy policies, growing adoption of renewable energy, environmental considerations, and reduced reliance on domestic coal. Despite this trend, coal continues to support selected industrial applications and remains part of the country’s broader resource sector.
The dataset is valuable for evaluating New Zealand’s coal production outlook, analyzing mining sector performance, and assessing long-term developments within the national energy market. It supports market research, policy development, investment analysis, and strategic planning while providing useful insights for researchers, mining companies, government agencies, and industry stakeholders monitoring production trends, mining activity, and the evolving role of coal within New Zealand’s economy.
- Indicator
- Coal Production
- Country
- New Zealand
- Region
- Asia-Pacific
- 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 New Zealand 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 New Zealand Coal Production in 2023?
New Zealand Coal Production was 2.60 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 0% on 2022.
How has New Zealand Coal Production changed between 2015 and 2023?
New Zealand Coal Production moved from 3.40 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 2.60 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−23.5%), an average of −3.3% a year. The series high was 3.40 Million Tonnes in 2015 and the low 2.60 Million Tonnes in 2022.
Which year had the highest and lowest New Zealand Coal Production?
The highest value was 3.40 Million Tonnes in 2015 and the lowest was 2.60 Million Tonnes in 2022.
What does the New Zealand 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 New Zealand 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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