A coal mine is a place where coal, a fossil fuel, is extracted from the ground. Coal is formed from ancient plant material that has been buried and subjected to heat and pressure over millions of years. Miners use various methods, such as underground mining or surface mining, to reach and collect the coal. Coal is primarily used for generating electricity and as a fuel for industrial processes. It plays a significant role in the energy sector, but its extraction and use can have environmental impacts, including air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The coal industry is a major economic sector in many countries.