World coal reserves

Known world coal reserves in 1990 were estimated to be about 1000—1600 biUion metric tons (4). The geographic distribution of these reserves is widespread, but about two-thirds of this coal resides in the United States, People s RepubHc of China, and the Commonwealth of Independent States. 

In many regions of the world coal reserves represent substantial indigenous resources, and for this reason coal will always play an important role in the future of power generation. Inevitably, coal is more difficult to handle and has less appeal than other clean-burning fuels such as gas. However, substantial progress has been made in modern efficient handling techniques and combustion methods that can give clean combustion with low emissions. 

FIGURE 1.9 (a) World coal reserves by region, December 31, 1990. (b) World oil reserves by region, January 1, 1993. (c) World natural gas reserves by region, January 1, 1993. 

Figure 2.21. World coal reserve distribution. Source ElA 2004d.

Generally, when estimates of coal supply are developed, there must be a line of demarcation between coal reserves and resources. Reserves are coal deposits that can be mined economically with existing technology, or current equipment and methods. Resources are an estimate of the total coal deposits, regardless of whether the deposits are commercially accessible. For example, world coal reserves were estimated to be in excess of 1 trillion tons (1 x 10 tons) and world coal resources were estimated to be approximately 10 trillion tons (10 x 10 tons) and are geographically distributed in Europe, including all of Russia and the other countries that made up the Soviet Union, North America, Asia, Australia, Africa, and South America (Table 1.4). 

Total coal reserve 246,643 million tons total crude oil reserve 21.3 billion barrels and natural gas 9.1 billion barrels (liquid) or 237.7 billion cubic feet. Figure 1.2 shows world coal reserves by countries and expected life based on current rate of usage. 

The demand for energy is continually increasing and the highest energy consumption in the world occurs in the United States. In 1989 consumption totaled 8.6 x 10 MJ (81.3 x 10 Btu) or 11.7 metric tons of coal-equivalent per capita (85). World recoverable reserves were about 120 times the annual coal production in 1988 and about 10 times that for the additional reserves beheved to be in place (1). Estimated coal consumption reduces the known recoverable reserves at about 1%/yr. Whereas the use of bituminous coal is expected to continue to increase in terms of tonnage, the percentage of coal used in the United States has stabilized as shown in Table 11. 

In 1990 coal production in the United States reached 0.9 biUion metric tons (2) and worldwide production was estimated to be over four biUion metric tons. In 1982 it was estimated that at least 50% of the world coal production was cleaned in some manner before use (3). As higher quaUty coal reserves are depleted and more stringent environmental regulations on pollutants, particularly sulfur oxides, are enacted, this percentage is expected to increase. 

Prior to World War II, this was the principal organic chemical raw material. It is more difficult to process than oil, hut most European countries and the U.S. have very large coal reserves. However, it is nonrenewahle. 

The current proven coal reserves of the United States are predicted to support this production level for 200 years. This liquefied coal reserve exceeds the proven oil reserves of the entire world. The reactors could also produce hydrogen or gaseous hydrocarbons from the coal as well. The excess heat from nuclear power plants could be used for central heating. 

Coal is the most abundant fossil fuel in the U.S. and many other countries. In the U.S. coal makes up about 95% of all fossil energy reserves. These reserves could last several hundred years at the current level of coal consumption. Major developing countries such as China and India, which are now using more and more of the world s oil, also have large coal reserves. 

Table 3.9 shows the distribution of world hard coal reserves and resources in 2005. Total reserves amounted to 728 Gt (626 Gtce), of which the vast majority are located in the USA and China, followed by India and Russia. The top ten countries represent 85% of total reserves. Considering the production of 2005, the static lifetime of hard coal can be calculated at around 150 years however, we should acknowledge the simplicity of this approach, as coal use is expected to increase significantly in the future. As for hard coal resources, whose quantification is more uncertain, Russia is leading, followed by China and the United States. Figure 3.22 shows the geographical distribution of cumulative production, reserves and resources of hard coal. 

The worldwide coal production and consumption in 1998 were 5043 and 5014 million short tons, respectively. The known world recoverable coal reserves in 1999 were 1087 billion short tons (AER, 1999 lEA, 2000). Coal reserves are rather evenly spread around the globe 25% ate in the USA, 16% in Russia, and 11.5% in China. Although coal is much more abundant than oil and gas on a global scale, coalfields can be depleted in a region. The known world recoverable coal reserves in 1999 were 989 billion tons. 

More than 45% of the world s electricity is generated from coal and it is the major fuel for generating electricity worldwide. The known coal reserves in the world are enongh for consnmption for over 215 years, while the known oil reserves are only abont 39 times the world s consumption and the known natural gas reserves are about 63 times the world s consumption level in 1998. Coal is not only plentiful, but also economical. Advanced coal-fired power generation technologies should be developed worldwide to generate at minimnm economic coal, improve thermal efficiency and meet environmental requirements. 

By 1995, Australia will probably be one of the world s three largest aluminum producers. At present, it supplies onc-third of the world s bauxite. New smeller construction underway is expected to boost the world production by two million tons (1.8 million metric tons). New Zealand also has a good potential. Australia has coal reserves estimated at 1500 years. 

Pig. I. Wortd recoverable coal reserves (millions of short ions). (World Energy Council)... 

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