US GEOLOGICAL SURVEYS COAL RESOURCE ASSESSMENT OF TOP-PRODUCING COAL BEDS AND COAL ZONES IN THE NORTHERN AND CENTRAL APPALACHIAN BASIN COAL REGIONS

摘要

The U.S. Geological Survey has completed a dig-italrncoal resource assessment of six of the top-pro-ducingrncoal beds and coal zones in the northernrnand central Appalachian Basin coal regions. Theserninclude the Pennsylvanian-aged Pittsburgh, UpperrnFreeport, Lower Kittanning, Fire Clay, Pond Creek,rnand Pocahontas No. 3 coal beds and coal zones.rnResources were calculated on all of the coalrnbeds/zones, with the exception of the LowerrnKittanning coal bed. Preliminary original resourcesrnare estimated at about 93 billion short tons (84 bil-lionrntonnes), of which about 66 billion short tons (60rnbillion tonnes) remain. Much of the remaining coalrnin all five coal beds/zones is thinner [<3.5 ft (1.07rnm)] and deeper [>1,000 ft (305 m)] than the coalrnthat has been mined, but economic resources arernstill available and mining in each coal bed/zonesrnwill continue throughout this decade and into thernnext given current market conditions.