Best answer
The coal mined in the Southwest Virginia Coalfield is well suited for a variety of primary uses includingelectricity generation(steam coal), manufacturing coke (metallurgical coal), and supplying other industrial (non-coke), commercial and institutional users.
People also ask
How is coal used to generate electricity in Virginia?
It is thermal coal, burned to generate steam that spins turbines and dynamos creating electricity. Despite the coal production, Virginia is a net importer of energy; the state is not self-sufficient for petroleum, natural gas, uranium, or electricity: 1
What type of coal is found in the Appalachian Mountains?
Coal in Virginia Virginia’s Valley and Ridge coal is semi-anthracite, while Appalachian Plateau and Triassic Basin coal is bituminous Source: Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy
How many coal mines are there in Virginia?
In 2011, the 49 surface mines in Virginia produced 55% of the state’s coal, while 61 underground mines produced the remaining 45% – but those statistics vary significantly each year, as companies react to market demand and cost of extraction by opening/closing individual mines.12
Which states produce the most coal?
Of the 25 coal-producing states, Virginia was in the middle for tonnage of production in 2011. Wyoming mined over 20 times as much coal as Virginia. Both West Virginia and Kentucky produced over 5 times as much coal as Virginia.