Kristine Georgia Y.

Po Coal Mining
BSEM – V Engr. Nathaniel D. Tiu

ACTIVITY 5

Part A. Guide Questions

1. Define and discuss the “Classification of Coal Resources and Reserves” Note: Definition
should be based on PMRC.
a. Inferred Coal Resources - is that part of a Mineral Resource for which tonnage,
grade and mineral content can be estimated with a low level of confidence. It is
inferred from geological evidence, sampling and assumed but not verified
geological and/or grade continuity. It is based on information gathered through
appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings
and drill holes which may be limited or of uncertain quality and reliability.
b. Indicated Coal Resources - is that part of a Mineral Resource for which tonnage,
densities, shape, physical characteristics, grade and mineral content can be
estimated with a reasonable level of confidence. It is based on exploration,
sampling and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from
locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes. The locations
are too widely or inappropriately spaced to confirm geological and/or grade
continuity but are spaced closely enough for continuity to be assumed.
c. Measured Coal Resources - is that part of a Mineral Resource for which tonnage,
densities, shape, physical characteristics, grade and mineral content can be
estimated with a high level of confidence. It is based on detailed and reliable
exploration, sampling and testing information gathered through appropriate
techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes.
The locations are spaced closely enough to confirm geological and grade
continuity.
d. Probable Coal Reserve - is the economically mineable part of an indicated, and in
some circumstances, a Measured Mineral Resource. It includes diluting materials
and in allowances for losses which may occur when the material is mined.
 Appropriate assessments to a minimum of pre-feasibility study have been carried
out, and include consideration of and modification by realistically assumed mining,
metallurgical, economic, marketing, legal, environmental, social and governmental
factors. These assessments demonstrate at the time of reporting that extraction
could reasonably be justified.
e. Proved Coal Reserve - is the economically mineable part of a Measured Mineral
Resource. It includes diluting materials and in allowances for losses which may
occur when the material is mined. Appropriate assessments to a minimum of pre-
feasibility study have been carried out, and include consideration of and
modification by realistically assumed mining, metallurgical, economic, marketing,
legal, environmental, social and governmental factors. These assessments
demonstrate at the time of reporting that extraction could reasonably be justified.
f. Marketable Coal Reserve - representing beneficiated or otherwise enhanced coal
product where modifications due to mining, dilution and processing have been
considered, may be publicly reported in conjunction with, but not instead of, reports
of Ore (Coal) Reserves. The basis of the predicted yield to achieve the Marketable
Coal Reserves should be stated.
g. Coal Resource vs Coal Reserve – Coal Resources are a concentration or occurrence
of material or coal of intrinsic economic interest in or on the Earth’s crust in such
form, quality and quantity that there are reasonable prospects for eventual economic
extraction. The location, quantity, grade, geological characteristics and continuity
of a Coal Resource are known, estimated or interpreted from specific geological
evidence, sampling and knowledge. Coal Resources are subdivided, in order of
increasing geological confidence, into Inferred, Indicated and Measured categories.
Coal Reserves are the economically mineable part of a Measured and/or Indicated
Mineral Resource. It includes diluting materials and in allowances for losses which
may occur when the material is mined. Appropriate assessments to a minimum of
pre-feasibility study have been carried out, and include consideration of and
modification by realistically assumed mining, metallurgical, economic, marketing,
legal, environmental, social and governmental factors. In the case of integrated
mining operations, the pre-feasibility study will have determined an ore treatment
 plan that is technically and commercially viable and from which the mineral
recovery factors that are estimated. These assessments demonstrate at the time of
reporting that extraction could reasonably be justified. Coal reserves are subdivided
in order of increasing confidence into Probable Ore Reserves and Proved Ore
Reserves.

2. Differentiate “Rotary Drilling from Diamond Core Drilling”. Provide illustrations or

images to further differentiate the common drilling techniques in Coal Exploration. Part of
your discussion should include the advantages and disadvantages of using the methods.
• Rotary Drilling - The rotation of a cutting bit on the end of a line of hollow drill
pipes into subsurface rocks is known as rotary drilling. Rotary drilling involves
drilling into the Earth's surface with a sharp, spinning drill bit. The drill bit spins
like a regular handheld drill, allowing it to penetrate through the hardest rock. A
pump circulates a fluid (such as water or drilling mud), while a compressor forces
air down the middle of the drill pipe string, through the bit, and up to the surface of
the string's outer walls. Cuttings (material chips formed by the bit's action) are
transported to the surface by the circulation of fluid or air. Fluid circulation cools
and lubricates the cutting bit. While the principle of rotary drilling, which involves
drilling into rock with a sharp, rotating drill bit, is clear, the mechanisms of modern
rigs are not. Furthermore, technology progresses at such a fast pace that emerging
innovations are launched on a regular basis. Four groups of components make up
the basic rotary drilling system. Rotary drilling is made possible by the use of prime
movers, hoisting machinery, revolving equipment, and circulating equipment. It is
a method that is both quick and effective. It works well in both big and small holes.
It doesn't have any depth restrictions. It is applicable to both combined and
unconsolidated deposits. The wire-line approach can be used to collect the
continuous nucleus. It does, however, have drawbacks, such as the fact that it
necessitates drilling fluids, which are needed after water chemistry.
 Figure 1. Retrieved from: https://personal.ems.psu.edu/~fkd/courses/geoee408/Site2.pdf

Figure 2. Retrieved from: https://im-mining.com/2019/07/09/queenslands-first-cat-md6250-drill-delivered-bluff-coal-mine/

• Diamond Core Drilling - Diamond drilling is a form of core drilling that involves
using a rotary drill with a diamond drill bit to drill specific holes. Diamond is the
world's hardest naturally occurring stone, making it suitable for cutting holes in a
variety of materials. It's a precision tool that drills smooth, precise holes with
diameters ranging from 8mm to over 1500mm. Since it is a non-percussive process,
structural stability is preserved when drilling. Water is pumped into the driving
shaft of every diamond drill to keep the workplace dust-free. Depending on the
requirement, they may be run in either a vertical or horizontal orientation.
Compared to the traditional drilling, diamond drilling has a host of major
advantages. Cutting is more precise than percussive procedures, because there's less
risk of injury that might compromise structural integrity. The equipment is light
and compact, making it ideal for conditions where space is limited. Since the
technique is relatively silent, it can be performed in almost any place without
causing any noise. Diamond drilling produces very little grit, so there is little mess
or disturbance.
Diamond core drilling is easier than other methods because of the high levels of
pressure that the diamond drill bit can produce on the material it is drilling into.
Diamond core drilling operations can be carried out by machines that are controlled
remotely. This ensures that if drilling is needed in a hazardous environment, having
the option of using an automated diamond core drilling system is advantageous.
Since drill bits can withstand high pressures, you can expect the substance you're
drilling to have the desired hole at the end of the drilling operation. Diamond core
drilling is a technique that can dig into any kind of stone, so you won't be limited
to drilling in certain fields.
While not much dust accumulates during diamond digging, some does, and this
appears to get into the machinery's components. As a result, you'll have to vacuum
the dust from the equipment on a regular basis. It's a routine maintenance job that
might take time away from manufacturing. Some diamond core drilling equipment
has a significant kickback. Diamond drill bits can be very costly, especially if you
need large drill bits. As a result, you will find that the cost of your activities rises.
 Figure 3. Retrieved from:
http://earthsci.org/education/fieldsk/drilling/drilling.html

Figure 4. Retrieved from:

http://earthsci.org/education/fieldsk/drilling/drilling.html

3. Differentiate “JORC Code vs CRISCO Code.

• JORC Code – or Australasian Joint Ore Reserves Committee. The Australasian
Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources, and Ore Reserves
(the JORC Code) is a standard code of practice that establishes minimum standards
for mineral exploration results, mineral resources, and ore reserves reported to the
public. The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) and the
Australian Institute of Geosciences (AIG) have both adopted the JORC Code,
which has been integrated into the listing rules of the Australian and New Zealand
stock exchanges. The aim of public reports prepared in compliance with the JORC
Code is to educate investors, prospective investors, and their advisors. Annual and
quarterly corporate reports, press releases, material memoranda, scientific articles,
 online postings, and media presentations of Exploration Results, Mineral
Resources, and Ore Reserves estimates are just a few examples.
• CRIRSCO Code - or Combined Reserves International Reporting Standards
Committee (CRIRSCO) and Committee for Mineral Reserves International
Reporting Standards. In 1994, at the 15th Council of Mining and Metallurgical
Institutes (CMMI) Congress in Sun City, South Africa, an international effort to
standardize market-related reporting concepts for mineral resources and reserves
was launched. CRIRSCO functions as a multinational advisory body with no
legislative jurisdiction, dependent on its constituent members to provide national
administrative and disciplinary supervision. It is an association of members from
organizations that are responsible for designing mineral reporting codes and
guidance in in Australasia (JORC), Brazil (CBRR), Canada (CIM), Chile (National
Committee), Colombia (CCRR), Europe (PERC), India (NACRI), Indonesia
(KOMBERS _ KCMI), Kazakhstan (KAZRC), Mongolia (MPIGM), Russia
(NAEN), South Africa (SAMREC), Turkey (UMREK) and the USA (SME).

4. Differentiate Mechanical Sampling System from Manual Sampling. Part of the discussion
shall be the advantages and disadvantages of using the sampling system.
• Manual Sampling - For sampling coal, mechanical sampling is favored, and manual
sampling should be avoided whenever possible. But if mechanical sampling isn't
available, manual sampling is done. This would normally entail the use of a
sampling implement such as a sampling ladle, which must be operated manually.
Increments should ideally be obtained from dropping streams. Sampling guidelines
define how manual samples can be taken. Manual sampling is prone to
inconsistencies. The worth of the cargo will be measured incorrectly or imprecisely
if the sampling process or sample preparation is biased or contradictory. As a
consequence, the cargo is overvalued or undervalued, and the trade is unjust to both
the buyer and the seller.
• Mechanical Sampling System - Mechanical sampling of coal produces the most
representative and repeatable sampling data, according to ISO and ASTM
 requirements, that is why mechanical sampling is favoured to manual sampling.
The risk of incorrect sample findings is reduced where a well-designed and built
mechanical sampling system is used. A well-run and tracked system like this can
reliably provide reliable, high-quality results. Since the entire coal stream is
intersected and sampled, mechanical sampling is more accurate than manual
sampling. There is no such thing as human error or discretion. The system operates
in the same way every time and is completely automatic.

5. Discuss and explain the different coal analysis: Part of the discussion should include on
how to determine the carbon content, necessary information that would contrast other
analysis, and etc.
a. Proximate Analysis - The calculation of moisture, volatile content, fixed fuel, and
ash in coals and cokes is known as proximate analysis, and it is used to determine
the rank of coals, to indicate the ratio of combustible to incombustible constituents,
or to provide the basis for buying/selling, and analyzing coal for various purposes.
Proximate analysis is consisting of the following:
i. Percentage of moisture - The moisture content of an air-dried coal sample
is measured by heating it at 105–110 °C (221–230 °F) under controlled
conditions until a constant weight is obtained. The moisture content of coal
generally rises with declining rank and varies from 1 to 40% for different
grades. Moisture is a significant factor in both the storing and use of coals,
as it adds additional weight during shipping, lowers the calorific content,
and creates certain handling issues.
ii. Percentage of ash - When coal is burnt, it comprises a mixture of minerals
of different concentrations that are converted into ash. The volume and
quality of ash generated in coal-fired power plants, as well as its behavior
at high temperatures, influence the design and form of ash-handling device
used. Coal ash becomes sticky like sinters at high temperatures and
gradually forms molten slag. After cooling and solidification, the slag
becomes a hard, crystalline stone. The temperatures at which successive
characteristic stages of fusion occur in a specimen of ash when heated in a
 furnace under prescribed conditions are used to calculate specific ash-fusion
temperatures in the laboratory. During high-temperature refining, these
temperatures are often used as measures of coal clinkering capacity.
iii. Percentage of volatile matter - When coal is heated to 950 °C (1,742 °F) in
the absence of air under some conditions, volatile matter is released. It is
calculated by calculating weight loss. Volatile matter, which is made up of
gases, low-boiling-point organic compounds that condense into oils when
cooled, and tars, rises in rank. In general, coals with a high volatile-matter
content are easy to ignite and extremely reactive in combustion.
iv. Percentage of fixed carbon - Once a coal particle has been heated and the
volatile matter has been expelled, fixed carbon is the stable combustible
residue that remains. By subtracting the amounts of moisture, volatile
matter, and ash from a sample, the fixed-carbon content of a coal may be
calculated. Since gas-solid combustion reactions are slower than gas-gas
reactions, coal with a high fixed-carbon content can take a long time to burn.
b. Ultimate Analysis - The findings of ultimate analysis experiments are more detailed
than those of proximate analyses. It is the process of determining the proportion of
a chemical substance's constituent elements. The results of final research
experiments to determine the coal's elemental composition, including moisture, ash,
carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen. Chemical analysis is used to
evaluate each product, which is then expressed as a percentage of the total mass of
the original coal or coke.
c. Petrographic Analysis - On polished specimens of minus 20 mesh prepared coal,
coal petrography is a microscopic technique used to assess a coal's rank (degree of
coalification) and form (amount and type of macerals). Petrography is a technique
for assessing the potential of bituminous coals and coal blends to manufacture blast
furnace coke. The percent light reflectance of the maceral vitrinite is used to assess
rank. The volume percent of the different coal macerals, or fossilized plant remains,
is measured using a point count process. Coal petrography can also be used to detect
oxidized coal and assess if contaminants are present in the coal.
 i. Vitrinite Reflectance - Unlike the volatile matter percentage from proximate
analysis, the reflectance of vitrinite remains the most definitive measure of
coal rank because it is unaffected by oxidation, changes in coal type
(changes in inertinite content), or carbonate mineral content. The
reflectance of vitrinite increases with coal rank and is expressed as a
percentage of reflected light at a specific wavelength. A light is shone onto
a coated surface of coal in this analysis, and the amount of light reflected is
determined using a photomultiplier. Mean Maximum Vitrinite and Mean
Random Vitrinite are two different types of this analysis.
ii. Maceral Analysis - The microscopic constituents of coal are classified using
maceral analysis based on their morphology and reflectance. It's then used
to calculate the ratio of reactive to inert macerals, which can be used to
estimate different coal content parameters. The three basic groups of
macerals are the vitrinite group (coalified woody tissue), the liptinite group
(resinous and waxy parts of plants), and the inertinite group (charred and
biochemically altered plant cell wall material). An installed and polished
sample of coal is visually examined by point count to determine its maceral
composition in this study. Color, morphology, form, and anisotropy are all
optical properties that differentiate macerals.

Part B. Problem Solving

1.A 100-acre coal property was explored and the results reveal the following information:
Thickness of seam = 5.0 ft.
Coal Density = 80lb/cu ft
Estimated mining recovery = 80%
Estimated yield of clean coal = 75%
Btu of clean coal = 12,000 Btu/lb
Selling price to the utility = $1.50 per million Btu
Calculate its value.
 Solution:
Convert Coal Density to Specific Gravity
0.017𝑔
80 𝑙𝑏 𝑐𝑚3 ) = 1.28 𝑔 𝑜𝑟 1.28
𝑆𝐺 = (
𝑓𝑡 3 1 𝑙𝑏 𝑐𝑚3
𝑓𝑡 3

𝐼𝑛 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑠 = 𝐶 𝑋 𝐴 𝑋 1359 𝑋 𝑆𝐺

1359 𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑠
𝐼𝑛 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑠 = 5 𝑓𝑡 (100 𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑠) ( ) (1.28)
𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑒. 𝑓𝑡
𝐼𝑛 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑠 = 870765.66 𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑠

𝐶𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑅𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝐶𝑜𝑎𝑙

𝐼𝑛 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑋 % 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑋 % 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑝 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦
=
100
870765.66 𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑠 (0.8)(0.75)
𝐶𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑅𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝐶𝑜𝑎𝑙 =
100
𝐶𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑅𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝐶𝑜𝑎𝑙 = 5224.6 𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑠

Solving for value:

1000 𝑘𝑔 2.20462 𝑙𝑏 12000 𝐵𝑇𝑈 $1.5

= 5224.6 𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑠 ( )( )( )( )
1 𝑡𝑜𝑛 1 𝑘𝑔 1 𝑙𝑏 1000000 𝐵𝑇𝑈
= $ 𝟐𝟎𝟕 𝟑𝟐𝟖. 𝟒

2. PNOC Coal Corporation want to mine its 400-acre coal prospect located in Imelda, Zamboanga-
Sibugay, Mindanao. The coal type consists of subbituminous and bituminous and considered as
ideal fuel for the newly commissioned 200-MW Mindanao Coal Power Plant in Jasa-an, Misamis
Oriental. Drilling results conducted at site revealed that the coal seam has an average thickness of
about 96 inches which comprised 60% of bituminous coal. The company intend to mined the coal
by “Longwall method” to maximize recovery. If the recovery factor of mining is about 70%,
determine the following:
a) total tonnage of in-place coal;
Take the average Specific Gravity as two types of coal are present in the coal seam.
SG = 60% (presence of bituminous) X 1.32 (specific gravity of bituminous)
+ 40% (presence of sub-bituminous) X 1.3 (specific gravity of sub-bituminous)
SG = 1.312

𝐼𝑛 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑠 = 𝐶 𝑋 𝐴 𝑋 1359 𝑋 𝑆𝐺

1 𝑓𝑡 1359 𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑠
𝐼𝑛 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑠 = 96 𝑖𝑛 ( ) (400 𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑠) ( ) (1.312)
12 𝑖𝑛 𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑒. 𝑓𝑡
𝑰𝒏 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒔 = 𝟓 𝟕𝟎𝟓 𝟔𝟐𝟓. 𝟔 𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒔

b) clean recoverable coal if the designed processing or washing method has a recovery rate of
90%;
𝐶𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑅𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝐶𝑜𝑎𝑙
𝐼𝑛 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑋 % 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑋 % 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑝 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦
=
100
5705625.6 𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑠 (0.7)(0.9)
𝐶𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑅𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝐶𝑜𝑎𝑙 =
100
𝑪𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒏 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝑪𝒐𝒂𝒍 = 𝟑𝟓𝟗𝟒𝟓. 𝟒𝟒 𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒔

c) total revenues of clean coal if the buying price is tagged for bituminous at P2,500.00/ton
and P2,000/ton for sub-bituminous.
• For bituminous (presence at 60%)
Total tonnage of bituminous = 35945.44 tons X 60%
Total tonnage of bituminous = 21567.3 tons
Value of bituminous = 21567.3 tons x Php2500/ton
Value of bituminous = Php 53 918 161.92
• For sub-bituminous (presence at remaining 40%)
Total tonnage of sub-bituminous = 35945.44 tons X 40%
Total tonnage of sub-bituminous = 14378.14 tons
Value of sub-bituminous = 14378.14 tons x Php2000/ton
Value of sub-bituminous = Php 28 756 280.00