Overview of the World′s Exploitation, Consumption and Resources of Coal

The contribution gives attention to the general trends in the coal economy in the 90s. The most significant world′s coal producers are presented with regard to the total coal production as well as to the hard and brown coal production. The article also deals with the topical conditions in coal exploitation, consumption and resources in the world′s regions and countries. Some new trends in coal combustion and metallurgy are introduced.