Power Resources and Coal Industry in Pakistan

Overview of Power Resources

• Definition of Power Resources: Power resources are defined as substances through which energy can be generated to meet the specific power requirements of a country.
• Methods of Generation: Energy is obtained through various natural and processed resources, including:
  • Fuels
  • Water
  • Wind

Energy Sources in Pakistan

Main Sources of Energy (Ranked by Importance)

1. Oil: The primary energy source for the country.
2. Natural Gas: The second most critical energy resource.
3. HEP (Hydel Electric Power): Hydroelectric power generated through water resources.
4. Coal: The fourth major source of energy.

Minor Sources of Energy

1. Nuclear Power
2. LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas)
3. CNG (Compressed Natural Gas)

General Classification of Resources

• Renewable Resources: These are resources that can be used repeatedly without being depleted or exhausted. Examples include:
  • Water
  • Solar Power
  • Wind Power
• Non-Renewable Resources: These resources cannot be used again once consumed and are eventually exhausted. Examples include:
  • Coal
  • Oil
  • Natural Gas

Fossil Fuels and Coal Formation

• Fossil Fuels: These are the remains of animals and plants that have decomposed under intense pressure and heat over millions of years.
• Coal Formation: Coal specifically is formed through the decomposition of natural vegetation over the course of millions of years.
• Usage of Coal in Pakistan:
  • The vast majority ($91\%$) of coal produced in Pakistan is utilized in brick kilns.
  • Only $9\%$ of coal is utilized for Power Generation.

Comprehensive Types of Coal

1. Anthracite

• Appearance: It is the darkest coal and is found in thin layers deep underground.
• Quality: It is considered the best quality of coal.
• Physical Properties: It is the hardest variety of coal and possesses the highest carbon content.
• Energy Value: It burns with great heat.
• Availability: It is NOT found in Pakistan.

2. Bituminous

• Found: Located further deep underground and is dark in color.
• Sub-types:
  • Steam Coal: This is a superior, hard black coal found in highly compressed seams. It burns rapidly with great heat. Its carbon content is lower than that of Anthracite.
  • Coking Coal: This coal is burned to produce coke. It is characterized as hard, grey, and porous. It is specifically used in blast furnaces for the extraction of iron from iron ore.

3. Lignite

• Found: Located near the surface.
• Accessibility: It is easier to mine compared to deeper varieties.
• Quality: It is a low-quality coal.
• Composition: Known for having high moisture and high ash content.
• Energy Value: It possesses a low heating value.

4. Peat

• Description: This is vegetative matter representing the initial stage of coal formation.
• Extraction: It cannot be extracted for use.

Coal Industry and Reserves in Pakistan

• General Quality: Pakistan possesses primarily low-quality coal, ranging from Lignite to Sub-Bituminous.
• Chemical Characteristics: The coal is marked by low carbon content, high ash, high sulphur, and high volatile material.
• Seam Characteristics: Coal seams in Pakistan are generally lean, with an average thickness of $1$-$3\,\text{Feet}$.
• Total Reserves: Total reserves are estimated at $85$ billion Tons.
• Regional Concentration: The majority of these reserves are found in the Thar Coalfields.
• Economic Distribution: $91\%$ is used in brick kilns, and the remaining $9\%$ is dedicated to power generation.

Specific Coalfields in Pakistan

1. Salt Range Coalfields

• Main Mines: Dandot and Pidh.
• Other Mines: Pir Jehanian, Chittidand, Dhakkhatta, and Arakhatta.
• Coal Quality: Low quality, characterized by high ash and high sulphur content.
• Coal Types: Bituminous and Lignite.

2. Makerwal Coalfields

• Main Mines: Makerwal.
• Coal Found: Sub-Bituminous coal.

3. Quetta Coalfields

• Composition: Comprises three major coalfields.
• Khost Sharig Harnai Coalfield:
  • Status: Largest coalfield in Baluchistan.
  • Quality: The coal is considered poor in quality.
  • Usage: Used for coking purposes.
  • Management: Currently managed by the Mineral Development Corporation. The coal undergoes a washing process at the facility.