| dc.description.abstract | From 2004 to 2006 total world coal production increased by 16% to 5,370 million tonnes (Mt). While European coal producers slightly decreased their coal production in 2004, the “B.R.I.C.” countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) where the main factors in the increase in worldwide production. In 2006 production increased by 8.8%, following an increase of 6.5% in 2005 and 9% in 2004. This remains well above the 10-year average growth trend of 3.0%. Updated analysis of proven coal reserves indicates that, at current world production levels, there is close to 150 years of coal available. The following graph illustrates the long term growth in coal demand compared to other energy sources. It can be seen that coal is the fastest growing energy source in the world since 2002. Indeed, coal is fuelling the rapid development of countries such as China and coal consumption also increased in the United States. |
