Technology

Yeah, coal and it's biproducts are used in the production of various materials. Unfortunately it all involves burning it. It's just that the burning itself isn't really the purpose of it.

When people talk about not using coal it's mostly about not using it for production of electricity and heat. Steel production also needs to find alternatives.

It's also used in electronics though those tiny amounts can easily be found in coal waste or produced for the purpose, so it's not a reason to keep a coal mine open.

Now the reason why coal is even a topic is that it plays a comically large part of politics too..

Just keep in mind that when certain politicians talk about the loss of jobs, it's fewer than 40000 jobs across the USA. That's a large number, but it's still fewer than there are people born every week. So basically, every week, there are more people getting old enough to apply for jobs than there are coal jobs. All these kids needs jobs too. You won't notice those 40000 coal people lining up in employment queue. At all. They can all find other jobs easily. The unemployment rate is lower than ever. "Nobody wants to work" and "we can't afford to lose 40000 jobs". Make up your mind, please.