This book tells about coal, an essential natural resource, including where it is used, how is mined and processed, and its importance in the global economy.

Includes index.

World commodities -- Coal -- Where is coal produced and where is it used? -- A history of coal -- Mining coal -- Generating electricity and steel from coal -- How coal is traded -- Supply and demand -- Industry codes of practice -- Coal as a sustainable commodity -- International politics and coal -- Environmental issues and coal -- Social issues and coal -- The future.