ABSTRACT
In Mexico the coal industry presents major planning and management challenges, although the state's efforts should not be underestimated. This chapter explains these efforts, which started mostly in the mid-1970s. It deals with coal industry development in Mexico, covering both coke and noncoke coal recovery and uses. The chapter provides the main points of controversy that have hindered the country's development of coal. It presents the future prospects that offers a possible scenario of the industry from until the year 2000. Three elements of a coal electricity project can affect the environment: the water needed in mining and in cooling at the electricity plant, the emission of gas from coke combustion, and the residual ash from burning the mineral. Although SICARTSA was planned on the basis of coal imports, it is implementing a coal import-substitution policy by acquiring coal from Coahuila using railroad transport that operates on a government subsidy.
