Documentation of the Reserve-Related Data Inputs to the Resource Allocation and Mine Costing Model

摘要

The methodology and data used to prepare reserve-related inputs to the Resource Allocation and Mine Costing (RAMC) program are documented. The report is intended for analysts familiar with the modeling of the coal market and, in particular, the economic-engineering approach to the development of coal supply curves. The reserve-related inputs developed during this study include: distribution of demonstrated reserves by supply region, coal type, and mining method; distribution of reserves dedicated to existing mines (committed reserves) by supply region, coal type, and mining method; allocation of remaining strippable reserves to overburden categories; allocation of remaining deep reserves to seam depth and type opening (drift and shaft/slope) categories; estimation of future recovery factors by supply region and mining method; and estimation of current f.o.b. mine prices by supply region and coal type. Emphasis was placed on using current EIA data files to calculate coal reserve quantities and qualities, coal prices, committed reserves, seam thickness, and production. Data on overburden depth for both strippable and deep reserves were obtained from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and various State agencies. Similar data are not currently collected or maintained by EIA. (ERA citation 08:019655)