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'''Coal mining''' is the process of digging coal out of the ground and bringing it to market,. [[Coal]] has been used for centuries for small-scale furnaces. Around 1800 it became the main energy source for the [[Industrial Revolution]]; after 1850, the expanding railway system of the industrializing countries, especially the U.S. and Britain, became the major users. Britain developed the main techniques of underground mining from the late 18th century onward with further progress being driven by 19th and early 20th century progress.<ref>Freese. (2003)</ref> After 1850 smokeless [[anthracite]] coal ("hard coal") became the main source of heating in cities, and smoky [[bituminous coal]] ("soft coal" or "brown coal") became the main source of power for factories and railroads.
'''Coal mining''' is the process of digging coal out of the ground and bringing it to market. Coal remains a cheap energy source.
By 1900 the United States and Britain were the chief producers, followed by Germany.
[[Coal]] has been used for centuries for small-scale furnaces. Around 1800 it became the main energy source for the [[Industrial Revolution]]; after 1850, the expanding railway system of the industrializing countries, especially the U.S. and Britain, became the major users. Britain developed the main techniques of underground mining from the late 18th century onward with further progress being driven by 19th and early 20th century progress.<ref>Freese. (2003)</ref> After 1850 smokeless [[anthracite]] coal ("hard coal") became the main source of heating in cities, and smoky [[bituminous coal]] ("soft coal" or "brown coal") became the main source of power for factories and railroads.
By 1900 the United States and Britain were the chief producers, followed by Germany. In the United States, it is the primary fuel used in electricity generation.
However oil became a cheap, easy-to-use alternative fuel after 1920 (as did natural gas after 1980). By the mid 20th century coal was for the most part replaced in domestic as well as industrial and transportation usage by oil, natural gas or electricity produced from oil, gas, nuclear or water power.
However oil became a cheap, easy-to-use alternative fuel after 1920 (as did natural gas after 1980). By the mid 20th century coal was for the most part replaced in domestic as well as industrial and transportation usage by oil, natural gas or electricity produced from oil, gas, nuclear or water power.