Coal reserves are discovered through exploration activities. The process usually involves creating a geological map of the area, then carrying out geochemical and geophysical surveys, followed by exploration drilling. This allows an accurate picture of the area to be developed. The area will only ever become a mine if it is large enough and of sufficient quality that the coal can be economically recovered. Once this has been confirmed, mining operations begin.
[source: http://www.worldcoal.org]
The Members of the World Coal Association (WCA) have voted coal surpassing oil as the top global fuel by 2020 as the most important news story in the energy sector in 2013.
In a survey of 2013’s top news stories, WCA Members – who include coal producers, equipment manufacturers and a network of associations – agreed that research by Wood MacKenzie and theInternational Energy Agency (IEA) showing that the use of coal is growing at such a level it will overtake oil as the most important source of energy globally at the end of this decade was the key story shaping the energy sector this year.
Milton Catelin, WCA Chief Executive, commented: “The results of the survey reflect the fact that coal continues to be a vital source of energy worldwide and plays an important role in industry, through its use in the production of steel, aluminium and cement. The importance of affordable, abundant energy supplies cannot be understated – with 1.3 billion people worldwide without access to energy, the importance of widening energy access is one of the great challenges of the 21st century. Coal has a key role to play in this challenge.”
WCA Members voted the decision by the World Bank and other development banks to limit funding of coal projects as the second most important energy story in 2013, followed by rising energy prices and fuel poverty in Europe, the continuing growth of the shale gas industry and, in fifth place, divestment campaigns in response to climate change.
[source: http://www.worldcoal.org]
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Resource |
The amount of coal that may be present in a deposit or coalfield. This does not take into account the feasibility of mining the coal economically. Not all resources are recoverable using current technology. |
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Reserves |
Reserves can be defined in terms of proved (or measured) reserves and probable (or indicated) reserves. Probable results have been estimated with a lower degree of confidence than proved reserves. |
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Proved Reserves |
Reserves that are not only considered to be recoverable but can also be recovered economically. This means they take into account what current mining technology can achieve and the economics of recovery. Proved reserves will therefore change according to the price of coal; if the price of coal is low proved reserves will decrease. |
It has been estimated that there are over 861 billion tonnes of proven coal reserves worldwide. This means that there is enough coal to last us around 112 years at current rates of production. In contrast, proven oil and gas reserves are equivalent to around 46 and 54 years at current production levels.
Coal reserves are available in almost every country worldwide, with recoverable reserves in around 70 countries. The biggest reserves are in the USA, Russia, China and India. After centuries of mineral exploration, the location, size and characteristics of most countries’ coal resources are quite well known. What tends to vary much more than the assessed level of the resource – i.e. the potentially accessible coal in the ground – is the level classified as proved recoverable reserves. Proved recoverable reserves is the tonnage of coal that has been proved by drilling etc. and is economically and technically extractable.
[source: http://www.worldcoal.org]