Coal Mining in Australia - Market Research Report (2013-2028)
Melbourne, Australia
Last Updated: October 2023
ANZSIC B0600Revenue
$103.9bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$XX.Xbn
Employees
37,009
Businesses
173
Wages
$X.Xbn
Coal Mining in Australia industry analysis
Coal is a key input in steelmaking and energy generation. Although coal deposits are found all over the world, Australia is one of the world's lowest cost producers and a major coal exporter. Domestic reserves exceed domestic demand, are high grade and economical to access. As a result, exports account for a large share of coal mining revenue. Imports are negligible, as local production is higher than domestic demand for coal. Black coal mining accounts for most activity, with some brown coal used domestically for electricity generation in Victoria.
Trends and Insights
- Supply disruptions in global energy markets sent the value of coal exports soaring. The Russia-Ukraine conflict increased competition for energy commodities as buyers secured supplies, sending prices to record highs.
- Soaring thermal coal prices saw the value of thermal coal exports briefly overtake metallurgical coal exports. Global energy markets are still adjusting to volatility caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
- Queensland is home to significant metallurgical coal resources. The state’s new royalty tiers may create additional barriers to new mine development in the state.
- Competition from renewable energy sources is on the rise. Global efforts to transition towards a lower emission economy represent a threat to coal producers going forwards.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2013-2028)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 2.2 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $103.9bn in 2023.
Trends and Insights
Coal prices have displayed significant volatility
- The Russia-Ukraine conflict sent energy commodity prices soaring, with coal mining revenue surging and profit margins expanding in the fallout.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Global energy markets are set to stabilise, causing coal prices to ease
- Coal mining revenue is set to fall as coal prices in global markets recede from recent highs.
Biggest companies in the Coal Mining in Australia
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 |
|---|---|---|
Glencore | 17,600.0 | |
BHP | 11,430.0 | |
Yancoal Australia | 7,950.0 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 10 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Metallurgical coal, Thermal coal and Brown coal. Metallurgical coal is the largest segment of the Coal Mining in Australia.
Trends and Insights
Global supply disruptions pushed thermal coal prices to record highs
- Thermal coal is primarily used to generate electricity. This segment includes both black and brown thermal coal.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Oil and Gas Extraction in Australia
Complementors
- Iron Ore Mining in Australia
International industries
- Global Coal Mining
- Coal Mining in the US
- Coal Mining in New Zealand
- Hard Coal Mining in the UK
- Coal Mining in China
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Industry firms primarily mine coal using open-cut and underground mining methods. Mining operations include extracting coal and any associated activities such as washing and crushing coal. Brown coal mining is included in this industry.
What's included in this industry?
Metallurgical coalThermal coalCompanies
GlencoreBHPYancoal AustraliaPurchase this report to view all 10 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
COKING COALSTEAMING COALOPEN-CUT MININGLONGWALL MININGBORD AND PILLAR MININGSALEABLE COALIndustry Code
ANZSIC 0600 - Coal Mining in Australia
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Supply disruptions in global energy markets sent the value of coal exports soaring. The Russia-Ukraine conflict increased competition for energy commodities as buyers secured...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Employees, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Businesses, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Profit, including historical (2013-2023)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Soaring thermal coal prices saw the value of thermal coal exports briefly overtake metallurgical coal exports. Global energy markets are still adjusting to volatility caused ...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
- International Trade
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2023
- Product innovation level
- Total imports, level and trend
- Total exports, level and trend
- Trade Balance
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2023
- Major market segmentation in 2023
- International trade, including imports by country and exports by country
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
- Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Queensland is home to significant metallurgical coal resources. The state’s new royalty tiers may create additional barriers to new mine development in the state.
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2023
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2023
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Asia Pacific, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Competition from renewable energy sources is on the rise. Global efforts to transition towards a lower emission economy represent a threat to coal producers going forwards.
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2018-2023
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Coal miners have seen soaring coal prices drive revenue and profit margins higher. However, tight labour market conditions have made it difficult to ramp up production to tak...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2019 through 2023
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2023
- Overview of Glencore's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of BHP's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of Yancoal Australia's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 7 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Glencore, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for BHP, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Yancoal Australia, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 7 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The Russia-Ukraine conflict sent shockwaves through global energy markets and sent coal prices soaring. Coal miners benefited from high prices and strong export demand, altho...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Coal mining profit margins have benefited from higher prices. Coal prices rose sharply as global energy markets faced supply disruptions, although prices are set to fall in 2...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Employee (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Employees per Establishment (2013-2028)
- Employees per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Average Wage (2013-2028)
- Wages/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- IVA/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Imports/Demand (2013-2028)
- Exports/Revenue (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2013-2028)
- IVA (2013-2028)
- Establishments (2013-2028)
- Enterprises (2013-2028)
- Employment (2013-2028)
- Exports (2013-2028)
- Imports (2013-2028)
- Wages (2013-2028)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Australia include:
- Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Australian Taxation Office
- Australian Securities & Investments Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Coal Mining industry in Australia in 2024?
The market size of the Coal Mining industry in Australia is $103.9bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Coal Mining in Australia industry in 2023?
There are 173 businesses in the Coal Mining industry in Australia, which has declined at a CAGR of 1.8 % between 2018 and 2023.
Has the Coal Mining industry in Australia grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Coal Mining industry in Australia has been growing at a CAGR of 2.2 % between 2018 and 2023.
What is the forecast growth of the Coal Mining industry in Australia over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Coal Mining industry in Australia is expected to decline.
What are the biggest companies in the Coal Mining market in Australia?
The biggest companies operating in the Coal Mining market in Australia are Glencore, BHP and Yancoal Australia
What does the Coal Mining in Australia include?
Metallurgical coal and Thermal coal are part of the Coal Mining industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Coal Mining in Australia?
The company holding the most market share in Australia is Glencore.
How competitive is the Coal Mining industry in Australia?
The level of competition is high and steady in the Coal Mining industry in Australia.
