GEM’s 2026 Global Coal Mine Tracker update is live!
This year's release expands the tracker to more than 7,000 entries covering approximately 5,300 coal mines across all stages of development worldwide, along with more than 1,700 inactive mines closed or abandoned since 2015. The update introduces new mine-level coal-to-chemicals data — currently focused on China — enhances methane-related data fields, and adds new features to strengthen the tracking of emissions and the coal mining supply chain.
- The introduction of mine-level coal-to-chemicals (CTC) tracking in China, enabling the identification of coal mines linked to the CTC sector based on reported or intended end use, coal type, or project design information. The dataset now includes more than 200 Chinese coal mines with associated CTC data.
- Updated mine-level reported methane emissions for over 200 coal mines, using the latest available data from national government sources and company reports. (These were compiled using an enhanced and reproducible search methodology.)
- The addition of coal mine boundaries and methane emissions source data for 250 coal mines, accompanied by dedicated sections on their respective wiki pages. (See the methodology wiki.)
- Ongoing updates to methane plume data for over 200 associated mines, sourced from GEM's Global Methane Emitters Tracker (GMET), and data on methane mitigation measures adopted by corresponding mines. (See the live companion sheet for ongoing updates on mitigation data.)
A look at the global coal mining sector
- The total production of operating mine assets captured across 2025 reached approximately 9,100 million tonnes (Mt), with China, India, and Indonesia remaining the top three producing countries.
- 2,533 Mt of proposed capacity is under development, with approximately 30% (783 Mt) already under construction and test-operation, 18% (450 Mt) permitted for further development, and roughly half in early-stage development.
- Approximately 85% of proposed developments are concentrated in a handful of countries — China, India, and Australia.
- Only ~58 Mt of new coal production capacity across 39 coal mines transitioned to operating status in 2025, concentrated in just a handful of countries — the lowest addition on record, signaling a continued slowdown in coal mine development worldwide.
Mine closure tracking continues to expand
- GEM’s closed and abandoned mines inventory has increased to 1,700 assets, totaling approximately 930 Mt of identified retired production capacity.
- Based on reported closure years, approximately 11% (1,016 Mt) of current operating capacity is projected to retire by 2036. While many of the remaining operating mines do have closure plans in place, the majority are scheduled to close well beyond the timelines required for a meaningful coal phaseout.
The long tail of global coal capacity
The data suggests that a structural slowdown in new coal projects is officially underway, but the tail-end of the coal lifecycle remains stubbornly long. Without accelerated closure timelines and proposed project cancellations, existing and new capacity could continue to lock in emissions for decades to come.
Explore the tracker
You can access and download the full dataset via GEM’s Global Coal Mine Tracker, along with updated summary tables for quick reference. Updates to the mine wiki pages are coming soon.
GEM extends heartfelt thanks to the many groups who have once again contributed their data, time, and expertise to this endeavor.
GEM 2025–2026 Global Coal Mine Tracker release researchers: Wynn Feng, Tiffany Means, Elli Newman, James Peng, Mingxin Zhang
