- What is it?: Coal is a combustible rock with high carbon and hydrocarbons, formed over millions of years from plant material.
- Types of Coal (based on carbon content):
- Anthracite: Best quality, high carbon (80-95%), rare in India (mainly in Jammu & Kashmir).
- Bituminous: Most widely used, carbon content 60-80%, used in coke production.
- Lignite: Brown coal, 40-55% carbon, high moisture, low heat.
- Peat: Early stage of coal formation, low carbon content.
- Coal Classification (based on formation):
- Gondwana Coalfields: 250 million years old, 98% of India’s reserves, mainly located in states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh.
- Tertiary Coalfields: 15 to 60 million years old, located mainly in Assam, Meghalaya, Jammu & Kashmir, and parts of the north-east.
- Key Coalfields in India
- Jharkhand: Jharia, Bokaro, Giridih, Karanpura.
- Chhattisgarh: Korba, Hasdo-Arand, Chirmiri, Singrauli.
- Odisha: Talcher, Rampur-Himgir.
- Madhya Pradesh: Singrauli, Sohagpur, Umaria.
- West Bengal: Raniganj (largest field).
- Andhra Pradesh & Telangana: Singareni, Kothagundam.
- Maharashtra: Kamptee, Wardha, Ghughus.