Mining and Fuel types

Peat

Partially decomposed matter that can be used for fuel

Lignite

Lowest-quality coal, lowest density

Bituminous coal

Most commonly-used coal type that has median quality, high sulfur

Anthracite

Highest-quality coal that uses the most amount of energy

Subsistence fuels

Biomass fuel sources that can easily be found and gathered by hand, used often in developing countries (wood and charcoal)

Natural gas

Decaying remains of plants and animals burried and converted into oil by pressure and then this fuel type

Crude oil

Decaying organic matter trapped under rock layers that gets compressed

overburden

soil, vegetation, and rocks used to get to an ore deposit

tailings

leftover waste material separated from metal (stored in ponds near mine site)

surface mining

removal of overburden to access ore near surface

subsurface mining

mining slightly below surface, more expensive and higher health risks

mine reclamation

restoring land back to original state after mining is done

SMCRA

prohibits surface coal mining within the national park system, regulates existing mines and oversees reclamation of abandoned mines