Major uses of coal

As one of the most affordable and abundant sources of energy in India, Coal is primarily used for the following:

• Power generation in Thermal Power Plants.
• Steel production with help of coking coal.
• Synthetic fuel by gasification and coal liquefaction.
• In alumina refineries, paper manufacturing, and chemical and pharmaceutical industries.

Types of coal found in India

• Anthracite: It is the highest grade of coal containing a high percentage of fixed carbon. It is hard, brittle, black and lustrous. It is found in smaller quantity in regions of Jammu and Kashmir.
• Bituminous: It is a medium grade of coal having high heating capacity. It is the most commonly used type of coal for electricity generation in India. Most of bituminous coal is found in Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh.
• Subbituminous: It is black in colour, dull (not shiny) and has a higher heating value than lignite.
• Lignite: It is the lowest grade coal with the least carbon content. It is found in the regions of Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Jammu & Kashmir.