Energy Resources:

Energy resources are all forms of fuels used in the modern world, either for heating, generation of electrical energy. Resources that provide energy in various forms are categorised as renewable energy resources and non – renewable energy resources.

(i) Non – Renewable Energy:

Once these resources are used, they cannot be regained again. They are exhaustible. The time taken to renew them by nature is very huge when compared with human life span.

Most commonly using firewood, Cattle dung cake are non – renewable Sources of energy.

Coal: (Buried Sunshine)

Coal is a fossil fuel. Around 60% of power generation in India is dependent on coal. It is also an important raw material for steel industry.  Coal is formed due to compression of plant material at intense pressure and heat inside the earth by the process of carbocation.

The quality of a coal is determined by its calorific value, moisture concentration and ash content. Based on these factors coal classified into various types.

Types of Coal:

(i) Peat: Contains less than 30% of carbon. Low grade coal and is very soft. Mostly found in swamp area.

(ii) Lignite or Brown Coal: Contains 35 – 45% Carbon. Hold high amount of moisture content.

Lignite resources in Neyveli (Tamil Nadu) are used for electricity generation.

(iii) Bituminous or coking coal: This contains 70 – 90% of carbon. This is most widely used variety of coal in commercial purpose. It is found widely in Gondwana region.

(iv)Anthracite: It is the best grade of coal. It contains 95% of carbon. It contains very low moisture. It is very hard but emits less smoke.

Distribution of Coal:

World Scenario:  Huge reserves are found in USA (Appalachian region), Germany, Scottish region of England, Transvaal region of South Africa. China is the largest producers of steam Coal followed by India.

Steam coal is high in Sulphur content and used for producing steam.

China is also the top producer of cooking coal followed by Australia.

Indian Scenario:

Coal Deposits are found in Damodar valley, Raniganj, Bokaro. Also, tertiary coal occurs in the northeastern states of Meghalaya, Assam, Nagaland, and Arunachal.

Even though India have sufficient deposits but due to inferior quality its coal requirements mostly dependent on imports.

Important coal mines:

Korba                      –               Chhattisgarh

Bokaro, Tharia        –               Jharkhand

Raniganj                  –               West Bengal

Singareni                –               Andhra Pradesh

Singrauli                 –               Madya Pradesh.

Rat hole mining:

Rat hole mining is primitive and hazardous method of mining for coal, with tunnels that are only 3-4 feet in diameter (hence, rat-hole) leading to deep pits. I

t mostly prevalent in Northeast India. In 2014 National Green Tribunal banned rat hole mining as it is hazardous to workers involved in it.