British Coal was formed on 12 July 1946 as the National Coal Board (NCB), which was responsible for the organisation and running of coal extraction. It was under the responsibility of the Minister of Fuel & Power, who presented the Boards reports to Parliament.

British Coal was a nationalised industry in the United Kingdom which was responsible for the mining and sale of coal. It was created in the 1950s as part of the post-war nationalisation of the coal industry and operated until 1994, when the industry was privatised.

During its existence, British Coal was the largest coal producer in the United Kingdom, producing around 70 million tonnes of coal per year. It operated over 200 deep and opencast mines, as well as numerous other coal-related businesses. It was a major employer in the UK, employing over 200,000 people in its heyday.

British Coal was responsible for the extraction of coal from deep and opencast mines, as well as the sale of coal to domestic and industrial customers. It was also involved in the production of coke, a fuel used in steelmaking, and the production of coal-derived chemicals.

British Coal was a major contributor to the UK economy, with its coal-related activities contributing approximately £1.5 billion in taxes to the UK government each year. It was also a major employer in the UK, providing employment to over 200,000 people at its peak.

British Coal faced a number of challenges during its existence, most notably the decline in demand for coal due to the increasing use of alternative energy sources. This, combined with the increasing cost of production, led to the decision to privatise the industry in 1994. The privatisation of British Coal saw the industry split into several smaller companies, including UK Coal, which is now the largest coal producer in the UK.