Stephen J Mills

CCC 180 ISBN 978-92-9029-500-6

January 2011

copyright © IEA Clean Coal Centre

Abstract

This report examines the global situation with regard to the scale, location and major uses of low

quality coals and addresses the individual countries where they currently play, or in the future, are

likely to play, an important role in energy production.

Around half of the world’s estimated recoverable coal reserves comprise low value coals,

predominantly lignites, subbituminous coals, and high-ash bituminous coals. By rank (on a tonnage

basis) anthracite and bituminous coals account for 51% of the world’s reserves, subbituminous coal

32%, and lignite 18%. For decades, many coal-producing countries have witnessed a steady decline in

the quality of the coal produced. Often, this reflects the increasing exhaustion of reserves of higher

grade coals and a growing reliance on reserves of lower quality. For instance, this overall downward

trend in coal quality has been occurring in the USA since the 1950s although similar trends can be

observed in many other parts of the world. Despite the drawbacks associated with their use, many

countries are turning increasingly to the use of indigenous reserves of lower quality coals. In some

cases, these comprise the only significant energy resource available. Often, such coals are mined

relatively inexpensively via opencast techniques. Their use provides a secure source of energy and

helps reduce dependence on imported supplies. Industry observers are convinced that the long-term

future of coal-derived energy supplies will include the greater use of low rank and low quality coals, a

trend that is already discernible in many parts of the world.