- 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.
South Africa Coal Production was 228.5 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 0.6% on 2022. The Coal Production in South Africa dataset provides a comprehensive overview of the country’s coal output between 2015 and 2023, highlighting production volumes, mining activity, and trends across one of the world's major coal-producing nations.
South Africa Coal Production moved from 252.2 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 228.5 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−9.4%), an average of −1.2% a year. The series high was 254.4 Million Tonnes in 2019 and the low 228.5 Million Tonnes in 2023.
The gap between the series high (2019) and low (2023) is 25.90 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −5.8% in 2021.
Among the 30 countries in this dataset, South Africa ranks 7 for 2023, behind China (4,710 Million Tonnes) and India (1,011 Million Tonnes). It accounts for 2.5% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
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 Trough | 228.5 | −0.6% |
| 2022 | 229.9 | −1.6% |
| 2021 | 233.7 | −5.8% |
| 2020 | 248.1 | −2.5% |
| 2019Peak | 254.4 | +1.8% |
| 2018 | 250 | −0.9% |
| 2017 | 252.3 | +1% |
| 2016 | 249.7 | −1% |
| 2015 | 252.2 | — |
Regional context
Coal Production by country, 2023, Million Tonnes. South Africa is highlighted.
Data definition
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.
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.
Measured in **million tonnes**, the dataset serves as an important indicator of mining performance, domestic energy supply, export potential, and the contribution of coal to South Africa's energy sector. It also supports the assessment of production capacity, resource utilization, and long-term developments within the coal industry.
South Africa produced **252.2 million tonnes** of coal in 2015, followed by **249.7 million tonnes** in 2016 and **252.3 million tonnes** in 2017, indicating stable production levels. Output remained strong at **250.0 million tonnes** in 2018 before reaching **254.4 million tonnes** in 2019, the highest level during the study period. Production declined to **248.1 million tonnes** in 2020 and continued to decrease to **233.7 million tonnes** in 2021, **229.9 million tonnes** in 2022, and **228.5 million tonnes** in 2023.
Overall, the dataset highlights a gradual decline in South Africa's coal production after 2019 despite the country's continued position as one of the world's leading coal producers. Production trends reflected changes in domestic electricity demand, export market conditions, mining investments, operational challenges, and evolving environmental policies. Coal remained a key source of electricity generation, industrial fuel, and export earnings throughout the period.
The dataset is valuable for evaluating South Africa's coal production outlook, analyzing mining sector performance, and assessing long-term supply trends. It supports market research, investment planning, infrastructure development, and policy formulation while providing insights for researchers, industry participants, analysts, and policymakers monitoring coal production, mining activity, energy security, and the future role of coal in South Africa's energy landscape.
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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.
South Africa Coal Production was 228.5 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 0.6% on 2022.
South Africa Coal Production moved from 252.2 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 228.5 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−9.4%), an average of −1.2% a year. The series high was 254.4 Million Tonnes in 2019 and the low 228.5 Million Tonnes in 2023.
The highest value was 254.4 Million Tonnes in 2019 and the lowest was 228.5 Million Tonnes in 2023.
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.
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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