10 countries with the highest coal reserves

The United States holds the world's largest estimated recoverable reserves of coal and is a net exporter of coal. The fossil fuel is mined in 25 states and Wyoming mines the most coal, followed by West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

USA: 237295MT 27.6% of total world reserves

(Photo: Getty Images)

The majority of Russia’s coal is located behind the Ural Mountains in Siberia. Coal’s share of Russia’s total energy consumption is among the lowest in the world, at 15.8 percent. Russian coal miners reportedly have campaigned for improvements in their working conditions, leading to some reform.

Russian Federation: 157010MT 18.2% of total world reserves

(Photo: Getty Images)

China's primary energy production reached the equivalent of 3.18 billion tons of coal, the highest in the world. The country has seemingly approved a plan for state emergency coal reserves, which will build up five million tons.

China: 114500MT 13.3% of total world reserves

(Photo: Getty Images)

Coal accounts for around three quarters of Australia’s electricity generation, with coal-fired power stations located in every mainland state. Black coal resources are located in most states, with significant quantities of high-quality black coal in New South Wales and Queensland.

Australia: 76400MT 8.9% of total world reserves

(Photo: Reuters)

Coal deposits are mainly confined to eastern and south central parts of India. The states of Jharkhand, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh account for more than 99 percent of the total coal reserves in the country.

India: 60600MT 7.0% of total world reserves

(Photo: Getty Images)

Germany is a major importer and consumer of coal and almost half of the country’s electricity comes from coal. German proved coal reserves were six times higher at the end of last year compared with 2009.

Germany: 40699MT 4.7% of total world reserves

(Photo: Getty Images)

Until 1970, three quarters of Ukrainian electricity was generated by coal-fired thermal power plants. The “Energy Strategy of Ukraine” plans an increase of indigenous coal extraction, in order to secure the country’s energy supply.

Ukraine: 33873MT 3.9% of total world reserves

(Photo: Getty Images)

Kazakhstan contains central Asia’s largest recoverable coal reserves and the country’s envoy recently said that Kazakhstan is ready to help meet India's hunger for coal, oil and hydrocarbons.

Kazakhstan: 33600MT 3.9% of total world reserves

(Photo: Getty Images)

South Africa's economy is heavily dependent on coal as it accounts for accounts for 70 percent of primary energy consumption, 93 percent of electricity generation and 30% of petroleum liquid fuels.

South Africa: 30156MT 3.5% of total world reserves

(Photo: Jorge Lascar/Flickr)

The majority of Colombia's coal production and export infrastructure is located on the Caribbean coast. Colombia's coal is relatively clean-burning, with a sulfur content of less than 1 percent. The country exports most of its production.

Colombia: 6746MT 0.8% of total world reserves

(Photo: Tanenhaus/Flickr)

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