ABSTRACT
The study of coal, then, is a way of exploring the past and predicting something of the future. Coal is a very particular commodity, but it shares many features with other kinds of mineral mining. The importance of coal is diminishing as many nations are pledged to stop burning it in order to reduce carbon emissions. Different types of coal have diverse and often specialist uses and vary considerably in terms of their economic value. Until the end of coal mining in Britain the role of miners in the general strike of 1926 was still a live and often-debated issue, as were the dark days of the 1930s. The past was rehearsed through a number of exemplary stories that were familiar to most people. The chapter also presents an overview on the key concepts discussed in this book.
