The estimated direct economic impact of the coal mining industry in Canada, in terms of gross domestic product, was estimated to be $5.2 billion in 2011.

There were total tax revenues of $698 million.

That did not include the royalties collected. They accounted for another $344 million.

Added to the direct economic benefit was an indirect impact of $3.7 billion.

Canadian coal mines directly employed 25,471 and were responsible for another 16,559 jobs indirectly.

The report found the average annual wage was $92,785 for those directly employed by the coal miners.

The average coal mining industry wage is more than twice that of the national average wage of $43,700.

As coal mines are usually in remote areas, mine activity contributes towards the retention of local labor with well-paid jobs and support to local businesses.

In 2011, Canada’s coal industry produced 67.1 million tonnes, with 37.7Mt of that being thermal and 29.4Mt being metallurgical.

All but 1.3Mt of that metallurgical coal was exported while the country exported 4.5Mt of its thermal coal.

The industry spent just over $1 billion on capital investments and $380 million on exploration and development in 2011.

Future planned capital expenditures were $2.2 billion.