Hard Coal Mining in the UK - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
London, United Kingdom
Last Updated: January 2024
SIC B05.100Revenue
£65.8m
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
£X.Xm
Employees
298
Businesses
9
Wages
£XX.Xm
Hard Coal Mining in the UK industry analysis
Over the five years through 2023-24, hard coal mining revenue is forecast to fall at a compound annual rate of 20%. The drop in sales and weak profitability – the industry operated at a loss until 2022-23, when energy market disruption drove up coal prices – have pushed down the number of UK coal mines in the UK, going from 12 mines in 2019-20 to nine in 2023-24. The COVID-19 outbreak accelerated the closure of coal mines in the UK as lockdowns brought activity in key markets (especially steel and cement production) to a halt and construction activity was put on hold. However, as the pandemic started to wind down and construction picked back up, supply chain disruptions brought about by the lockdowns resulted in surging coal prices, supporting revenue to a degree.
Trends and Insights
- Hard coal mining remains in long-term decline. Revenue, demand and the number of coal mines have all been falling for years as the environmental impact of coal turns buyers to other energy sources.
- The UK plans to stop coal-generated electricity in 2024. Even though coal only makes up a small part of the UK’s electricity mix, this move represents a significant step towards achieving a zero-carbon electricity system.
- One commercial mine remains in the UK. Wales hosts the last large commercial mine, but a new mine could open in the North West in the coming years, if it overcomes the legal challenges it’s facing.
- The shift towards greener energy hurts coal sales. Coal suppliers have faced increasing difficulty selling their products and have little power when it comes to negotiating prices with buyers who prioritise eco-friendly energy options.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 20.0 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £65.8m in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Concentration in the UK coal mining market shrinks as more mines shut up shop
- The steep decline in the number of coal mines operating in the UK continues as licences have ended and mines have been closed early in the face of weak demand for coal amid net-zero targets.
- 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
The closure of Ffos-y-Fran mine slashes coal mining revenue
- Merthyr's mine in Ffos-y-Fran, the last remaining opencast mine in the UK, closed on 30 November 2023.
Biggest companies in the Hard Coal Mining in the UK
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue (£m)
2024 |
|---|---|---|
Merthyr (South Wales) Ltd | 50.0 | |
Energybuild Ltd | 12.1 | |
Celtic Energy Ltd | N/A |
To view the market share and analysis for all 3 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 Steaming coal, Coking coal and Anthracite. Steaming coal is the largest segment of the Hard Coal Mining in the UK.
Trends and Insights
Steaming coal won’t be used in the UK energy mix after 2024
- Thermal coal, also known as steaming coal, is a type of coal used primarily for power generation through combustion in thermal power plants. Steaming coal makes up most of the UK’s coal production.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Renewable Electricity Generation in the UK
Complementors
- There are no industries to display.
International industries
- Global Coal Mining
- Coal Mining in Canada
- Coal Mining in New Zealand
- Coal Mining in China
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Companies in this industry mine hard coal from underground and opencast mines. Mining includes the extraction of coal and the associated activities, such as washing, grading, pulverising and compressing, which are necessary to prepare the coal for sale.
What's included in this industry?
Steaming coalCoking coalAnthraciteCompanies
Merthyr (South Wales) LtdEnergybuild LtdCeltic Energy LtdPurchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
HARD COALSTEAMING COALCOKING COALOPENCAST MININGUNDERGROUND MININGIndustry Code
SIC 05.10 - Hard Coal Mining in the UK
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
Hard coal mining remains in long-term decline. Revenue, demand and the number of coal mines have all been falling for years as the environmental impact of coal turns buyers t...
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 (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- 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
The UK plans to stop coal-generated electricity in 2024. Even though coal only makes up a small part of the UK’s electricity mix, this move represents a significant step towa...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
- International Trade
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
- Total imports, level and trend
- Total exports, level and trend
- Trade Balance
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
- 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
One commercial mine remains in the UK. Wales hosts the last large commercial mine, but a new mine could open in the North West in the coming years, if it overcomes the legal ...
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 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, 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
The shift towards greener energy hurts coal sales. Coal suppliers have faced increasing difficulty selling their products and have little power when it comes to negotiating p...
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 2019-2024
- 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
Merthyr (South Wales) Ltd halts its mining. It stopped mining in November 2023, marking the end of large-scale coal mining in the UK.
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Merthyr (South Wales) Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Energybuild Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Celtic Energy Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Merthyr (South Wales) Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Energybuild Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Celtic Energy Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The UK's commitment to renewable energy drives down interest in coal. As the use of bioenergy, wind and hydropower continues to grow due to rising oil and gas prices and gove...
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 (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
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
Wage costs fluctuate as the industry declines. As companies like Merthyr (South Wales) and Celtic Energy shut up shop, the average wage is edging downwards, though demand for...
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 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2018-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2018-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2018-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2018-2022)
- Assets (2018-2022)
- Liabilities (2018-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
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 (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
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 the UK include:
- Office for National Statistics
- Office for Budget Responsibility
- Bank of England
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 Hard Coal Mining in the UK industry in United Kingdom in 2024?
The market size of the Hard Coal Mining in the UK industry in United Kingdom is £65.8m in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Hard Coal Mining in the UK industry in 2024?
There are 9 businesses in the Hard Coal Mining in the UK industry in United Kingdom, which has declined at a CAGR of 8.5 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Hard Coal Mining in the UK industry in United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Hard Coal Mining in the UK industry in United Kingdom has been declining at a CAGR of 20.0 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Hard Coal Mining in the UK industry in United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Hard Coal Mining in the UK industry in United Kingdom is expected to decline.
What are the biggest companies in the Hard Coal Mining in the UK market in United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Hard Coal Mining market in United Kingdom are Merthyr (South Wales) Ltd, Energybuild Ltd and Celtic Energy Ltd
What does the Hard Coal Mining in the UK in United Kingdom include?
Steaming coal and Coking coal are part of the Hard Coal Mining in the UK industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Hard Coal Mining in the UK in United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in United Kingdom is Merthyr (South Wales) Ltd.
How competitive is the Hard Coal Mining in the UK industry in United Kingdom?
The level of competition is high and steady in the Hard Coal Mining in the UK industry in United Kingdom.
