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What is Coal?
Coal is a combustible fossil fuel comprised mainly of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. It is formed from vegetation that has been consolidated and altered by pressure and heat over millions of years. The result is the formation of coal seams. |
Types of Coal
There is a range of coal types depending on its maturity level as it goes through the process of coalification over time. At the front-end coal starts as peat with the most highly evolved product being anthracite. The physical and chemical properties of the coal determine the “rank” of the coal.
At the low end there is lignite and sub-bituminous coals that have high moisture levels and low carbon content resulting in low energy content. At the other end of the scale are the “hard” coals (i.e. Bituminous and anthracite) characterized by lower moisture content, more carbon and produce more energy.
Where Coal is Found
Coal reserves are available in almost every country in the world with recoverable reserves in about 70 countries. The United States, Russia and China have the largest reserves. According to the World Coal Institute, it is estimated that there are over 984 billion tones of proven coal reserves worldwide. That would provide supply for over 190 years at current use levels. This dynamic will change as a result of exploration and development programs on the supply side and consumption changes on the demand side.
Uses of Coal
Coal is used in a wide variety of ways. Fundamentally, the soft or brown coals are used for:
- power generation
- cement manufacture
- industrial uses
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The higher ranked hard coal is used primarily in the manufacture of iron and steel. Over 66% of total global steel production is dependent on coal. Canada is the world’s second largest exporter of coking coal in the world behind Australia and ahead of the U. S. Almost all of the Canadian contribution is produced in British Columbia. The distribution of hard and soft coal reserves in the world is about 50/50.
Power Generation
In terms of power generation coal provides about 20% of Canadian electricity needs, 50% of U.S. power generation and 39% of the world’s needs. Given the astounding rise in oil and natural gas prices coal provides a relatively low cost and dependable fuel source for power generation in the world well into the future.
Meeting a Growing Demand
Indeed, the world faces the challenges of providing goods and services to a growing population, improving the standard of living of billions who live in relative poverty and sustaining growth for existing and well developed economies. Power, industrial products and steel are critical components. It is estimated that world energy demand will grow 60% over the next 30 years mostly in developing countries. One third of the total increase will be in China and India alone. Coal will be heavily counted on to fuel these needs.
Environmental Considerations
The World Coal Institute makes the following observations around environmental considerations regarding the use of coal:
“Coal, like all other sources of energy, has a number of environmental impacts, from both coal mining and coal combustion. The coal industry recognizes it must meet the challenge of environmental sustainability. In particular coal must significantly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions if it is to remain a part of a sustainable energy future. Technologies have already been developed that are capable of almost entirely eliminating local and regional pollutants from coal fired power generation. New more efficient coal-fired plants reduce emissions of carbon dioxide. Already huge improvements have been made. The development and deployment of best practice clean coal technologies must continue.” |
Many technologies are being actively and aggressively pursued including carbon capture and storage, hydrogen from coal, gasification and coal liquefaction.
Coal use has been, is now, and will be a critically important building block for a growing world of needs.
For more information about coal please access the following websites:
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The Mining Association
of British Columbia |
The Coal Association
of Canada |
World Coal
Insittute |
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