The world fuel and energy complex takes an all-important place in the international economy Suffice to note that the total share of energy production in the structure of global GDP is now estimated at an average of 10-12%. In this regard, access to energy resources and their effective use is a strategic basis for the national security of any country.

Among the geological energy resources, the total volume estimated at 6.3 trillion tons of fuel, the largest reserves in the world belong to the solid fuel. According to estimates by the International Energy Agency, at existing rates of consumption the reconnoitered stocks on oil and gas will be already settled in 50 years, while coal reserves under the most intense use will last for 200 years.

By estimations of the experts, the share of coal in the global energy balance is about 27%. Its major industries, consumers are metallurgy and electric power industry. With coal use 44 % of all world electric power are made approximately.

Prospects for the coal industry.

Despite all the existing problems, the coal industry in the modern world has retained the role of major basic branch of economy.

The value of coal as one of the main types of energy is caused by the action of the following major market factors:

1) Energy remains the priority sector of the economy. Consumers are interested in unconditional preservation of stability of power supply sources and a variety of alternative sources of power raw materials.

2) A stable and extensive resource base. The index of the current level of consumption of ready to use coal reserves - one of the highest among all the minerals.

3) Ability to thermal coal mining company to work in various markets.

4) The cheapness of coal compared to the cost of direct substitutes, the price stability of coal. Stability and predictability in prices of coal provides consumers the convenience of planning costs.

The forecast of world consumption of coal for the period till 2030.

According to the forecast of the Energy Information Administration consumption of primary energy carriers by 2020 will increase in the world in comparison with present level on 65 %.

Fossil kinds of fuels remain the main sources of energy and will provide up to 80% of world energy consumption. Experts believe that coal will remain competitive with other fuels due to lower production costs and tariffs for its transportation.

Coal prices can't rise due to the direct price dependence on its major competitors in the energy production - oil and natural gas. And the next 15 years of any serious changes in the coal industry, apparently, it will not be observed.

Long-term prospects for predicting difficult, but it can be assumed that if oil supplies will continue to decline and will not be found new deposits or other alternative fuels, then by the 2030 coal could become the main source of fuel energy, as has huge reserves compared to oil and gas.