Coal consumption in Germany rose in the year 2000 by 1 mill. t to 66 mill. t coal units as a result of the favourable steel boom. There was no change in the use of coal in power stations. Whereas coal imports increased further to 28 mill. t coal units, the sale of indigenous coal fell to 38 mill. t coal units. Three collieries were closed during the year; coal output consequently fell by 6 mill. to 34 mill. t coal units. As in 1999 shift output underground increased by over 7%. The number of employees fell by 11000 to about 51700 at the end of 2000.