Anthracite is an often-overlooked commodity.
While it shares similarities with other types of thermal coal, it is distinct in its properties and applications. Anthracite is mined in only a handful of countries, with global production totaling just 170 million tonnes. For perspective, global thermal coal production in 2023 reached 8.7 billion tonnes, and metallurgical coal (coking coal) production was around 1 billion tonnes.
So, what makes anthracite different, and why is it special?
Anthracite has a lower volatile content than thermal coal, which gives it the advantage of a higher carbon content. Carbon content is calculated as follows:
Carbon Content = 100 – (Ash Content) – (Volatile Content).
This high carbon content is what makes anthracite stand out, particularly in terms of its cost-effectiveness. Anthracite is one of the most inexpensive carbon sources available for the production of alloys and steel. While almost everything in the world has a carbon component, anthracite stands out for its practicality in use, storage, and shipping.
Anthracite in Steel and Alloy Production
In steel or ferro-alloy production, a reduction process is required. This means an oxide (such as iron or chrome ore) is reduced by a carbon source—typically metallurgical coke or anthracite—in a furnace to produce the final product, an alloy, with carbon dioxide as the byproduct. The chemical equation for this process is as follows:
Cr₂O₃ + CO₂ → Cr + CO₂.
In the past, metallurgical coke was the preferred carbon source in this reduction process. However, over time, anthracite has been introduced as a cost-saving alternative. Metallurgical coke is almost twice as expensive as anthracite and is costly to produce, as it is a processed coal. Anthracite, by contrast, is typically just washed before use.
Other Uses of Anthracite
Besides steel production, anthracite has several other applications. It burns cleanly due to its low volatile content, producing very little smoke. Its high energy value means it can provide considerable heat for longer periods, compared to alternatives like wood. This made it a popular choice for stoves used in home heating and cooking in the past.
However, the use of anthracite stoves has declined, as they require more effort to clean compared to the convenience of modern heating solutions like gas and electricity, and the aesthetic appeal of a wood fire. Anthracite’s blackish color and the fact that it can make hands dirty during handling, along with its limited availability, further contribute to its reduced popularity in domestic settings today.
Anthracite is also used in power generation, although this application typically involves lower-quality anthracite at lower prices. Countries with boilers designed for lower volatile coals, such as Vietnam, Ukraine, and some regions of China, are among the primary users of anthracite for power generation.
The Future of Anthracite
Anthracite is likely to remain in demand for the foreseeable future. As the world moves towards Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) technologies, which use scrap metal to produce steel, there will be a growing need for lower-cost carbon sources like anthracite. There is currently no effective alternative to carbons in the basic reduction process, and anthracite remains one of the most affordable options available.
Russia is the largest exporter of anthracite and possesses reserves that could supply the global market for a long time—provided access to these reserves remains stable. Russia also produces the highest grade of anthracite available worldwide. Other countries, including Peru, South Africa, the USA, China, and Vietnam, also supply the export markets, but may struggle to meet demand if Russian supply were disrupted.
Should Russian anthracite become inaccessible, countries like South Africa, Peru, and the USA could fill the gap, and smaller producers, such as Kyrgyzstan, could develop their markets. China and Vietnam, while major consumers of anthracite, might also increase exports under favorable market conditions.
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