Coal is a fossil fuel.

Coal was formed from layers of dead plants.

Coal took millions of years to form.

Coal is a non-renewable* fuel.

Coal has to be dug out of the earth.

Coal is burned at power stations to make electricity.

Coal is also used in the making of plastics, tar, fertilizers, and some medicines.

Coal mining disturbs the land, affecting the landscape and the plants and animals that live there. Air and water quality can be
affected by mining.

Read about non-renewable energy here
http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/justforkids/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=472545

and here

http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/non-renewable/nonrenewable.html

These sites have information about coal and coal mining

http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/non-renewable/coal.html

http://www.bhpbilliton.com/bb/
ourBusinesses/metallurgicalCoal/illawarraCoal/coalMiningForKids.jsp

You can print some information as pdf here
http://www.need.org/needpdf/infobook_activities/SecInfo/CoalS.pdf

Coal mining in earlier times.
Men worked underground and hauled the coal like this.

Acknowledge this page in your bibliography like this:
Thomas, Ron. & Sydenham, Shirley. Coal [Online] www.kidcyber.com.au (2009)

October 2009 copyright © kidcyber [2009] (illustrations © [2007] Jupiterimages Corporation)