Coal - Historical Context of Sustainability

Harshil Vithani

S01002187

Historical context of Sustainability

Coal

Table of Contents

Executive Summary        2

Overview        2

History of coal mining in India        2

Distribution of coal reserves in India        3

History of coal use        3

Global coal market        3

Sustainability issues        4

Social        4

Economic        4

Environment        5

Conclusion        6

References        6

Executive Summary

This report provides an analysis of coal industry in India. It provides a brief overview of the coal industry in India from the time it began to the present day situation of the industry. The report also clearly presents the distribution of coal reserves that are present in the country and the estimated coal reserve. It highlights the uses of coal throughout history and the current uses of coal. The report briefly describes the current situation of the global coal market. It sheds light on how the industry has affected the country and its people positively and negatively on social, economic and environmental terms.

Overview

History of coal mining in India

Mining of coal in India was started by John Sumner and Suetonius Grant Heatly of the East India company in 1774. The demand for coal was low in the beginning and it remained the same for almost a century until steam locomotives were introduced in the year 1853 when the demand was suddenly boosted. The annual average coal production by then was 1 million metric tons per year. By 1920 the production was 18 million metric tons per year. It received a further demand boost during the first world war and by 1946 the production reached 30 million metric tons a year. Due to lack of investment on part of private coal mine owners and growing need of steel industry a step needed to be taken for a systematic extraction of coal, coal mines were nationalized in 1971. By 2016 India’s coal output had increased to 639.23 million metric tons.

Distribution of coal reserves in India

Total coal reserves in India is estimated to be 308.80 billion metric tons. Jharkhand has the largest coal reserve in India with coal reserves estimated to be 81.17 billion metric tons. Odisha is the state that has the second largest coal reserve with the estimate being 75.90 billion metric tons. It is followed by the Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana with reserves estimated to be 56.04, 31.53, 26.91, and 21.41 billion metric tons respectively.

The coal events in India are for the most part dispersed along the present dayriver valleys i.e. Damodar Valley, Sone-Mahanadi Valley, Pench-Kanhan Valley, Wardha-Godavari Valley and so on.

History of coal use

Some historians believed that coal was used in China in 1000BC to smelt copper and cast coins.

Usage of coal increased during the Industrial Revolution. It was used to produce iron and steel, in rail transportation and to run steamships and steam engines.

Coal was also used to produce gas for gas lights.

In the 19th century coal was mainly used to generate electricity.

In the 20th century coal is used in the production of cement, steel and iron, it is used to generate electricity, to produce coal combustion products, to produce coal derived fuels energy for transport and other industry, and production of special products such as activated carbon, carbon fiber and silicon metal.

Global coal market

Coal production- Coal production has increased he most in Asia. World’s leading coal producing countries are China, USA, India, Australia and South Africa. Most of the coal produced is used within the country and only 18% of the coal produced is available in the international coal market.

Coal consumption- Coal is used to generate 39% of the world’s electricity. Asia is responsible for 54% of global coal consumption. Many countries do not have adequate natural energy resources to cover the country’s energy needs and therefore import coal.

Coal trade- Australia is the world’s largest supplier of coal accounting for 51% of the world’s export. China is also immerging as an important supplier.

Energy security- Limiting the danger of disturbances to our energy supplies is always vital – regardless of whether they are brought about coincidentally, political mediation, industrial disputes or terrorism. Coal has a critical part to play at any given moment when we are progressively worried with issues identifying with energy security.

Sustainability issues

Social

Possible impacts to the workers and public health safety from coal mining are that blasting can generate fugitive dust and release nitrogen oxide depending on the geological materials. Underground mining has risks such as oxygen deficiency, potential harmful gases such as methane, hydrogen sulfide and coal dust. The walls and roof of the mine can collapse due to the explosives and there is also a chance of the mine flooding in case an aquifer is breached during the blasting. The workers’ health may also suffer due to continuous exposure to coal dust for a long period and there are chances of them being affected by pneumoconiosis. Health risks may also arise due to exposure to radiation.