HOW DOES ILLINOIS RANK AS A COAL PRODUCER?
Illinois ranks fourth in production of coal in the United States. It is exceeded only by West Virginia, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania. Some of the largest and most efficient mines in the country are operated in Illinois. Underground mines in Illinois have the highest rate of tons mined per man each day in the country, and this rate is increasing. Increased mining efficiency has made it possible to hold the price of coal low enough so that it can successfully compete against other fuels for many uses.
Figure 11—Diagram of strip mine showing: (a) stripping shovel, and (b) coal-loading shovel.