UK production output index: mining of coal and lignite
UK production output index: mining of coal and lignite stood at 66.7 in Jul 2026, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS). It is one of the indicators in the Monthly GDP and output table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Jan 1990 to Jul 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Monthly GDP and output table
| Indicator | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | 11-2025 | 10-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production output index by industry | |||||||||||
| 05 — Mining of coal and lignite | 66.7 | 66.3 | 69.6 | 68.6 | 70.9 | 84 | 70.3 | 60.1 | 59.1 | 60 | |
| 06 — Extraction of crude petroleum and natural gas | 79.5 | 84.2 | 79.3 | 83.8 | 81.8 | 84.1 | 80 | 86.3 | 86.7 | 88.5 |
Understanding UK production output index: mining of coal and lignite
This specialised index tracks the extraction and preparation of hard coal, brown coal, and lignite from underground and surface mines across the United Kingdom. It excludes coke oven products, petroleum refining, and general mineral quarrying, focusing strictly on solid fossil fuel extraction. As domestic mining operations have contracted over decades, this series reflects a highly concentrated and diminishing segment of industrial output.
Interpreting this series requires recognising that small absolute changes in output can translate into exaggerated percentage swings. Monthly figures are prone to erratic movements driven by site-specific operational decisions rather than broad macroeconomic conditions. Analysts should verify whether long-term declines reflect structural energy policy shifts or temporary facility maintenance.
Frequently asked questions
- What does the coal and lignite mining index measure?
- It measures the extraction and primary preparation of solid fossil fuels from mines in the United Kingdom.
- Does this index cover petroleum and natural gas extraction?
- No, oil and gas extraction are classified under a separate industrial heading.
- Why can percentage changes in this series be misleading?
- The small scale of remaining domestic coal operations means minor tonnage adjustments create massive percentage swings.