Coal: exploration, reserves, and utilization

Coal exploration is a very demanding task, highly dependent on geological and economic factors and the utilization of coal. This lecture text includes information on a variety of geological techniques used in the exploration of coal and coal-bearing sequences, as well as on the calculation, assessment, classification, and reporting of coal resources and reserves. The main features of coal utilization and some environmental aspects are explained briefly. Special attention is paid to the by-products of coal utilization, their uses, and possible role in a zero-waste strategy. Graphical abstract