Abstract：Coal is one of abundant reserved mineral resources in Jiaozuo. The discovery and exploitation of coal resources played an important role in the economic development, social progress, the rise of towns, and custom changes in Jiaozuo. The first Chinese literatures about coal resource distribution had a record of Jiaozuo. In ancient society, our ancestors in Jiaozuo made use of the coal in cooking, heating, iron-smelting, ceramic firing and construction materials. The exploitation of coal in ancient times promoted the development of handcraft, ceramic, construction materials, transportation, stack, and business in Jiaozuo area, as well as playing a significant part in Jiaozuo's social economic progress and population aggregation and increase after entering the industrial society and becoming one of the industrial centers in Henan Province.

Keyword：Jiaozuo;ancient times;coal;exploitation;