A black, natural fossil organic sediment with a gross calorific value of more than 23 860 kJ/kg (5 700 kcal/kg) in the ash-free condition and with the moisture content obtaining at a temperature of 30 degrees C and relative air humidity of 96 per cent, and with a mean random reflectance of vitrinite of at least 0.6. Hard coal comprises: (i) Coking coal: Coal with a quality that allows the production of a coke suitable to support a blast furnace charge. (ii) Other bituminous coal and anthracite (steam coal): Steam coal is coal used for steam raising and space heating purposes and includes all anthracite coals and bituminous coals not included under coking coal.