Tertiary Coal and Lignite Deposits of India and their Source Rock Potential: A Review on the Contribution of the Indian Coal Petrologists

Abstract

Coal could be utilized as an important source of energy because it contain an ample amount of organic matter favoring suitability for hydrocarbon generation and industrial utilization. Indian coal deposits are associated with two stratigraphic horizons: Gondwana coal of the Permian age and Tertiary coal and lignites of the Paleogene age.

The Permian coal has high demand in India due to its grade, for industrial utilization and power generation, resulting in the shortage of reserves with a hike in price. Therefore, people are orientated to Tertiary coal and lignite deposits for their optimum utilization.

The significant lignite deposits of India occur in the states Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, and Kerala. Besides the lignite horizons, coal-bearing horizon seams also occur in Tertiary sediments. The known coal deposits of the Tertiary age occur in the northern and north-eastern parts of India. In the northern region, Tertiary coal deposits occur in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Whereas, in the north-eastern part, Tertiary coal deposits are located in Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland.

The objective of this review is to provide brief information about the contribution of Indian coal petrologists on various Tertiary coal deposits for their source rock potential.