The city of Jharia lies in the center of India's largest coal belt, in the northeast Indian state of Jharkhand. The coal needed to produce steel and operate Indian thermal power plants is being mined in this area.Jharkhand is currently the second largest coal producer in the world. Immediately behind leading China, India provides enough coal for its own use, and has enough for worldwide exports. 90 percent of the mines are open and active, with continuous digging as well as spontaneous combustion of coal releasing unprecedented amounts of carbon monoxide, which directly affects global warming.