Definition: Hard coal (Code 2111)

Category: Energy

Hard coal refers to coal of gross calorific value equal to or greater than 24 000 kJ/kg on an ash-free but moist basis and with a mean random reflectance of vitrinite of at least 0.6 percent. Hard coal comprises:
•	Anthracite: High rank coal used for industrial and residential applications. It has generally less than 10% volatile matter and a high carbon content (about 90% fixed carbon). Its gross calorific value is equal to or greater than 24 000 kJ/kg on an ash-free but moist basis.
•	Coking coal: Bituminous coal with a quality that allows the production of a coke suitable to support a blast furnace charge. Its gross calorific value is equal to or greater than 24 000 kJ/kg on an ash-free but moist basis.
•	Other bituminous coal: Coal mainly used for steam raising purposes and includes all bituminous coal that is not included under coking coal nor anthracite. It is characterized by higher volatile matter than anthracite (more than 10%) and lower carbon content (less than 90% fixed carbon). Its gross calorific value is equal to or greater than 24 000 kJ/kg on an ash-free but moist basis. If bituminous coal is used in coke ovens it should be reported as coking coal.
In addition, sub-bituminous coal is also covered. Sub-bituminous coal is a non-agglomerating coal with a gross calorific value equal to or greater than 20 000 kJ/kg and less than 24 000 kJ/kg containing more than 31% volatile matter on a dry mineral matter free basis.

Hard coal (Code 2111) is the sum of anthracite (Code 2115), coking coal (Code 2116), other bituminous coal (Code 2117) and sub-bituminous coal (Code 2118).