Deep-minable coal resources of Illinois. Circular 527

Abstract

Deep-minable coal resources more than 150 feet below the surface are generally mined by underground methods. Of the 181 billion tons of identified coal resources in Illinois, 161 billion tons (89%) are classified as deep-minable. About 44 billion tons (27%) of these have thickness and depth similar to coals currently being mined in Illinois, and have a high potential for development. Approximately 55 billion tons (34%) are slightly thinner and/or deeper than currently mined coals and have a moderate development potential; 45 billion tons (28%) are significantly thinner and deeper, with a low development potential; and 18 billion tons (11%) have a restricted-potential classification because they underlie cities, public lands, interstate highways, and other surface features that might be damaged by subsidence, or they lie within areas densely drilled for oil. Resources with a high potential for development are concentrated in the west-central, southwestern, and southern parts of the coal field. Of the resources with a high potential, 32 billion tons (73%) are from the Herrin (No. 6) Coal Member and 9 billion tons (21%) are from the Springfield (No. 5) Coal Member. These two seams will continue to be the major sources for underground coal production in the state.more » About 10 billion tons (6%) of the deep-minable resources have a low to medium sulfur content (< 2.5% S), and 3.7 billion tons (37%) of this low-sulfur coal have a high potential for development. Additional deep-minable coal deposits are expected to be discovered, although with decreasing frequency and magnitude, since the deposits remaining to be explored are generally deeper, thinner, and/or of lesser quality than currently identified deposits. « less

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