Fuel and Power Resources of the World | CUET PG Geography | Notes

Coal

• Coal is also the cheapest source of power if used near the coal mines. Since it is bulky, its transportation to far-off places involves high costs. For this reason, the industries which consume a large quantity of coal, are located near coal mines.
• Coal is the oldest source of commercial energy and was the backbone of the Industrial Revolution. It is still the second largest source of primary energy (26%) and accounts for 36% of global electricity generation (IEA, 2023).
• Coal is used as a source of power for running machines, trains, ships, etc. Coal is also essential for the manufacture of iron and steel and a variety of chemicals. Coal-tar and chemicals such as ammonia, benzol, etc. are obtained as by-products in the manufacture of iron and steel when coal is burnt to get the coke.
• The coal deposits although exist in nearly every part of the world, but commercially exploitable coal reserves are found mainly in China, USA, India, Australia, Indonesia, Russia, Canada, South Africa, Columbia, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine.

Distribution of Coal:

• China – World’s largest producer (~50% global output). Major fields:
  • Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi (Shensi), Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Henan, Shandong.
  • Shanxi alone accounts for nearly 25% of China’s coal.
• USA – 2nd largest reserves. Important fields:
  • Appalachian region (West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Alabama),
  • Illinois Basin,
  • Wyoming (Powder River), Montana, Ohio, Texas, Indiana.
• India – 5th largest reserves, but 2nd largest consumer.
  • Major basins: Jharia, Raniganj, Bokaro (Jharkhand–West Bengal), Talcher (Odisha), Singrauli (Madhya Pradesh–UP), Korba (Chhattisgarh), Nagpur–Wardha (Maharashtra), Neyveli (Tamil Nadu – lignite).
• Russia –
  • Donetsk basin (Ukraine border), Pechora basin (NW Russia),
  • Kuznetsk (Kuzbass, Siberia), Kansk–Achinsk, South Yakutsk, Irkutsk.
• Australia – World’s leading exporter.
  • Queensland (Bowen Basin), New South Wales (Hunter Valley, Sydney Basin), Victoria (brown coal in Latrobe Valley).
• Canada –
  • Nanaimo, Bowser, Skeena (British Columbia), Maritime provinces, Moose River basin.
• Germany –
  • Ruhr basin (North Rhine–Westphalia), Saar Basin, Rhineland, Garzweiler (lignite).
• Ukraine –
  • Donbas coalfield → industrial hub.
• South Africa –
  • Witbank, Highveld, Transvaal, Natal.
• Kazakhstan –
  • Karaganda, Ekibastuz, Maikuben, Turgay.
• Colombia – Largest reserves in South America.
  • Guajira peninsula – Cerrejón mine (one of the world’s biggest).
• Other notable fields:
  • Poland (Upper Silesia), UK (Yorkshire, Wales), Indonesia (Sumatra, Kalimantan), Mozambique (Tete).