Data from Global Energy Monitor's (GEM) Global Coal Mine Tracker (GCMT) show that the world’s operating coal production capacity has reached approximately 9,172 million tonnes per year (Mtpa), while the pipeline of proposed coal mining capacity continues to grow, reaching approximately 2,521 Mtpa. Although over half of the proposed capacity is still awaiting permits, nearly half has already advanced beyond that stage: 18% has received permits, and 31% is under construction or in test operation.
Where are coal production and new proposals concentrated?
Operating production and proposed pipelines are concentrated in a small number of countries, and overwhelmingly in China and India.
China dominates the coal mining landscape, accounting for over half of both operating coal production (4,578 Mtpa) and proposed capacity (1,321 Mtpa). Its proposed pipeline alone exceeds the combined total of every other country.
India follows with 12% of global coal production (1,109 Mtpa) and 25% of the global pipeline (638 Mtpa). While the proposed capacity is half that of China, it is nearly double the 329 Mtpa proposed by India in 2024.
Together, China and India make up approximately 62% of global coal production and close to 78% of the world’s proposed coal mine capacity.
When split out according to coal mine type, operating production capacity is split almost evenly between surface and underground mines, with surface mining slightly ahead at roughly 51%. Underground production capacity, however, is overwhelmingly concentrated in a single country: About 86% of the world's operating underground capacity is in China.
Breakdown of proposed capacity by development status and country
The global coal mine pipeline spans a range of development stages, meaning projects differ substantially in their likelihood of reaching operation. More than half of all proposed capacity (1,297 Mtpa) remains in the pre-permit stage, while another 443 Mtpa has received approval but has not yet begun construction.
The proposed pipeline tilts toward underground mines, meaning the world is planning to build more of the slower, costlier-to-develop underground capacity than surface capacity. This is driven almost entirely by China, which holds 86% of the world's proposed underground capacity.
Of China's 557 Mtpa of late-stage capacity that has already entered construction or test operation, roughly 81% (450 Mtpa) consists of underground mines, which generally have longer construction timelines. For example, Baiyanghe Coal Mine (1.2 Mtpa) began construction of the mine and its supporting infrastructure in 2020 but remained under construction as of GEM's latest data release in 2026.
By contrast, India's late-stage pipeline is much smaller, but around 90% of its 101 Mtpa consists of surface mines. As a result, while China has a substantially larger volume of late-stage capacity, its pipeline is weighted toward projects with longer construction periods, whereas India's smaller pipeline is dominated by surface mines that can typically be brought into operation more quickly. However, China is much more likely to bring a proposed mine into operation than India.
New coal capacity additions since 2015 by country
Approximately 3,140 Mtpa of new coal mine capacity has come online globally between 2015 and 2025. Annual capacity additions rose steadily from 2015 to a peak in 2018, when many previously suspended coal mines in China entered formal operation following changes in government policy. Since then, annual capacity additions have remained below the 2015–2025 historical average of 285 Mtpa, with 2024 and 2025 recording the lowest totals of the decade.
The 2025 decline was driven mainly by China and Australia, where new capacity fell by 44% and 96%, respectively. In China, expanding renewable generation and tighter safety inspections and capacity controls have slowed mine development. In Australia, weakening demand from key export markets and the NSW ban on new greenfield coal mines are expected to keep future capacity additions low.
