Coal geology is often considered of as the “simple geology”, however the unique organic based rocks have an in-depth complexity. The relationship to stratigraphy and basin development controls the extent and size of deposits, while quality and grade adds an increased dimension critical to the development of economic deposits. The fundamental understanding of the controlling factors of coal deposits allows geologists to effectively explore and deliver predicable and accurate representations of these unique orebodies. This course aims at introducing coal geology, underlying geological processes, briefly addressing coal quality, and techniques for both fundamentals exploring and enhance orebody definition of coal deposits
1. Floral evolution and the origin of coal
2. Coal forming environments
3. Petrography of coal
4. Coal quality introduction
5. Introduction to coal exploration and data collection
6. Sampling and analysis
7. Detailed coal exploration techniques
8. Coal utilisation
9. The future of coal