Coal

Coal

Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock usually occurring in rock strata in layers or veins called coal beds or coal seams. The harder forms, such as anthracite coal, can be regarded as metamorphic rock because of later exposure to elevated temperature and pressure. Coal is composed primarily of carbon along with variable quantities of other elements, chiefly hydrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen.

Industry: Energy

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Coal

outcrop

Mining; Coal

Coal that is found on or near the surface.

overburden

Mining; Coal

Soil and rock that is covering a coal seem and removed before mining and replaced after.

panic bar

Mining; Coal

A bar that is used to shut down machinery in the event an emergency shut off is required.

peat

Mining; Coal

An organic material composed of decaying plants.

percentage extraction

Mining; Coal

The percentage of coal that can be extracted due to factors such as poor quality of coal, the need to keep support structures, and general lost from mining.