HOW IMPORTANT IS COKE AND HOW IS IT USED?
The structure and nature of coke make it a valuable fuel for blast furnace use in the production of steel. In the past, most of the coal used in the manufacture of coke has come from areas of higher quality coal outside of our state. However, at present, over 1,000,000 tons of Illinois coal are mined annually for the production of metallurgical coke.
Figure 12—Estimated total coal production by counties from 1882 through 1963.
Area underlain by coal-bearing rocks Counties producing coal in January 1965 Total Production 3,749,423,534 tons 71 counties producing