Hornsby District of Low-Sulfur Herrin Coal in Central Illinois (Christian, Macoupin, Montgomery, and Sangamon Counties)

摘要

One of the largest deposits of low-sulfur coal in the Illinois Basin is in the so-called 'Hornsby district' of Christian, Macoupin, and Montgomery Counties. An estimated resource of 1.17 billion tons of Herrin (No. 6) Coal, containing less than 2.5 percent sulfur, occurs here. Although the Hornsby deposit is thick, lies at moderate depth, and is close to market and labor supply, it has been barely touched by mining. The primary deterrent to mining this high quality product has been fear of unstable roof conditions. Low-sulfur Hornsby coal contains about 1.5 percent less ash and 2 percent more moisture than does adjacent high-sulfur coal. The lower ash content probably reflects scarcity of pyrite. The reason for the difference in moisture content is unknown. High- and low-sulfur coal are nearly identical in heating value.