Coal Mining

Coal Mining

Coal has already existed since the cavemen era. It is most abundant and widely distributed fossil fuel. When the fern tree dies, it sinks into the land and begins to decompose. After a million years, the decomposed fern turns into peat. As more and more sediments collects on top of the peat, it is put under extraordinary pressure. Under that pressure over millions of years the vegetable matter turns into coal. Shifting tectonic plates and earthquakes often brings the coal into the surface. It may already have been used in Chinese households already 2000 years ago, it’s industry becoming developed by the 12th century. The Native Americans used it in the 1300s for heating, making clay pots, and also for cooking. Deforestation leads to coal as an easy to access fuel. In the mid-1700s the first coal mining operation was opened. For many years in England, wood charcoal was used to provide fuel. In the 18th century, it was found that coal burned hotter and cleaner. During the Industrial Revolution, the use of coal escalated, as there was an increase in demand of energy sources. In the mid-1800s, Great Britain produced 60% of World’s Coal and owned 3000 mines.

In the 19th century, steam engine became common means of transportation; coal being used to fuel boilers on these trains. Coal-cutting machines were invented in the 1880s, replacing the previous method of pick and shovel. Unions appeared to protect the workers’ rights. Consider that coal mining was an unhealthy activity that produced physical alterations and high mortality rates amongst workers. Child labor was also common, and was eventually abolished. By the 1900s, the US produced more than the UK and consumed half of the world’s coal. Although it was not as popular as in the 1900s, coal is still a common source of fuel. Since the 1970s, coal production has increased 70%. If you are a user of electricity, then more than likely you are also a coal customer. 9/10 tonnes of coal is used for Electricity. Coal generated electricity amounts to 56% of all the electricity used in the US.

The most common method of mining is Underground Mining. Pillars are lifted to help support the roof of the mine. The only source of light comes from each individual miners’ headlight. The miners enter the mine to extract the coal, which is placed on a shuttle car. Which then transports the coal from the mine to a conveyer belt which leads outside. Another method is Surface Mining. Explosives are set in one area to be mined. The excess materials are put aside the truck to be removed from the mine side. Trucks drive now into the set to remove the coal, which is transported to various facilities. After the coal is extracted the reclamation process begins. Once the coal has been mined it is transported by trucks to the preparation plant. There it is crushed, screened and washed to remove rock and dirt acquired during the mining process. After the coal has been processed it is ready for shipment.

Coal is allocated either by the private sector, or by the government. Coal is the most abundant fossil fuel, and it boosted the industrial revolution. Today it represents 40% of the world’s energy, and it will represent only 25% as we move away from it. Coal has had a substantial increase over the past 25 years, technological advancements making coal mining more productive than it has ever been. Coal is an abundant natural resource, reserves projected to last for around 150 years. Today, the main producers are China, US, India, Australia, Indonesia, Russia, South Africa, Germany, Poland and Kazakhstan.