- 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 and Central America Coal Production was 62.50 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 6.2% on 2022. The Coal Production dataset for South and Central America from 2015 to 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of regional coal output, highlighting production trends, mining activity, and developments across the coal sector.
South and Central America Coal Production moved from 98.80 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 62.50 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−36.7%), an average of −5.6% a year. The series high was 102.3 Million Tonnes in 2016 and the low 62.20 Million Tonnes in 2020.
The gap between the series high (2016) and low (2020) is 40.10 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −33.3% in 2020.
Within South and Central America, Colombia has the highest value in 2023 at 54.50 Million Tonnes, 87.2% of the regional total.
By region
Million Tonnes, 2023. Each bar is that region's total.
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 | 62.50 | −6.2% |
| 2022 | 66.60 | −1.5% |
| 2021 | 67.60 | +8.7% |
| 2020 Trough | 62.20 | −33.3% |
| 2019 | 93.30 | −2.4% |
| 2018 | 95.60 | −4.3% |
| 2017 | 99.90 | −2.3% |
| 2016Peak | 102.3 | +3.5% |
| 2015 | 98.80 | — |
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 captures annual coal production and serves as an important indicator of mining performance, resource availability, industrial activity, and the contribution of coal to the regional energy economy.
South and Central America produced 98.8 million tonnes of coal in 2015, increasing to 102.3 million tonnes in 2016 before declining to 99.9 million tonnes in 2017 and 95.6 million tonnes in 2018. Regional production continued to decrease to 93.3 million tonnes in 2019, falling sharply to 62.2 million tonnes in 2020. Output recovered modestly to 67.6 million tonnes in 2021 before easing to 66.6 million tonnes in 2022 and 62.5 million tonnes in 2023. Colombia remained the region's dominant coal producer throughout the period despite lower production after 2019, while Brazil maintained comparatively modest output. Remaining countries contributed only a small share of regional coal production.
Overall, the dataset indicates a downward trend in regional coal production, particularly after 2019, reflecting weaker export demand, operational disruptions, market adjustments, and changing energy dynamics. Although production partially recovered after 2020, output remained well below pre-2020 levels, highlighting the sector's gradual contraction.
The dataset supports analysis of coal mining trends, production performance, and resource development across South and Central America. It provides valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, investors, and industry stakeholders assessing mining activity, export potential, investment opportunities, production patterns, and the evolving role of coal within the region's energy and industrial 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 and Central America Coal Production was 62.50 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 6.2% on 2022.
South and Central America Coal Production moved from 98.80 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 62.50 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−36.7%), an average of −5.6% a year. The series high was 102.3 Million Tonnes in 2016 and the low 62.20 Million Tonnes in 2020.
The highest value was 102.3 Million Tonnes in 2016 and the lowest was 62.20 Million Tonnes in 2020.
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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