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Coal Mining

By: Jonathan Kayne January 2014 JZKmath Productions. Coal Mining. What is Coal?. Coal is a rock, mostly Composed of Carbon. It forms from fossilized plants, during a time period known as the Carboniferous Period, about 360 Million Years ago, in which heat and pressure forms Coal.

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Coal Mining

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  1. By: Jonathan Kayne January 2014 JZKmath Productions Coal Mining

  2. What is Coal? • Coal is a rock, mostly Composed of Carbon. • It forms from fossilized plants, during a time period known as the Carboniferous Period, about 360 Million Years ago, in which heat and pressure forms Coal. • It is one of the most plentiful Fossil Fuels on Earth.

  3. How is it Mined? • Worldwide, 6185 Million Tons of coal is mined. • Top Coal Producers include China, USA, and India. • Coal is Mined using 2 methods: • Surface Mining (‘Opencast’) • Underground Mining (‘Deep’)

  4. Surface Mining • Also called “Opencast Mining”. • Used when Coal is near the surface. • 90% of Coal can be recovered. • The ground is dug up until the coal is exposed. • Then, the coal is drilled and broken up and taken away for processing.

  5. Source: http://www.worldcoal.org/coal/coal-mining/

  6. Underground Mining • Not as effective as Surface Mining. • Used when coal deposits are deeper in the ground. • There are 2 types of Underground Mining: • Room & Pillar Mining • Longwall Mining

  7. Room & Pillar Mining • Coal is removed by cutting ‘rooms’ in the ground. • Pillars of coal are left behind as supports. • 40% of the coal seem can be made of the pillars, which sometimes can be removed later.

  8. Longwall Mining • Machines hold up the roof of the cave while coal is extracted. • Afterwards, the roof is allowed to collapse. • 75% of the coal can be extracted.

  9. Consequences of Coal Mining • Coal Mining involves disturbing land which raises many challenges. • When the roof of a mine collapses, the ground falls on the surface (Called Subsidizing) • Pollution- coal and other chemicals can get into the water and air via runoff. • Dust • Noise

  10. Ways to Decrease impact • When they finish mining, they must clean up the land & “Leave it the way they found it”. • To combat Water Pollution, the pollutants (usually Acids) are neutralized, and the already Polluted Water is Treated through a water treatment facility. • Spraying Water and using efficient tools can decrease the amount of dust in the air. • Insulated areas and equipment reduce noise.

  11. Maximizing Sustainable Use • Helps the economy! (Over 7 Million jobs created worldwide!) • Is important to Steel and cement Manufacturing. • Create goals/standards for energy production. (400MV) • Make Power generation more efficient. • Make financially appropriate.

  12. Resources • World Coal Association: • Coal Facts, http://www.worldcoal.org/coal/ • Coal Mining, http://www.worldcoal.org/coal/coal-mining/ • Environmental Impact, http://www.worldcoal.org/coal-the-environment/coal-mining-the-environment/ • Sustainable Use, http://www.worldcoal.org/coal-energy-access/coal-and-sustainable-development/ • United Mine Workers of America: • Underground Coal Mining, http://www.umwa.org/?q=content/underground-coal-mining • Roger’s World: • Coal Facts, http://www.rogerphilpot.com/CoalEducation.html

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