Final answer:
Bituminous coal is primarily mined in the United States in West Virginia and eastern Kentucky, and also in various regions across Europe and Asia, including Great Britain, Germany, and Ukraine. Mountaintop removal mining and mechanization have changed the coal mining industry. Southern African countries like Mozambique also have significant coal reserves that contribute to their economies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bituminous coal is mined in several parts of the world. In the United States, major bituminous coal deposits can be found in states like West Virginia and eastern Kentucky, where coal mining has historically been a significant source of employment and has greatly influenced local economies. Mechanization and new mining techniques such as mountaintop removal mining have changed the dynamics of coal mining over time, impacting the number of miners needed for extraction.
Internationally, bituminous coal reserves are found across Europe and Asia. Notable regions include Great Britain, Germany, Ukraine, and several other countries like Belgium, France, Spain, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, and Russia. Despite its abundance, coal mining and combustion contribute to air pollution issues such as acid rain, especially in industrial areas of Central Europe.
Additionally, the Southern African region holds significant coal deposits, with coal mining taking place in central Mozambique, and the economic impact of such extractive industries contributing to national wealth and living standards improvements where extraction processes are possible.