48 
BALL AND SIMPSON: COALFIELDS OF INDIA. 
The quantity of coal usually described as second class is practically 
inexhaustible and can be calculated in thousands of millions of tons. 
From the above figures it can be seen that at the present rate 
of output there is not more than 100 years' supply of first class 
coal available at a moderate depth. 
As the mines increase in depth increasing quantities of inflam- 
mable gas are being encountered, and at certain collieries safety 
lamps are used throughout the whole of the workings. Most of 
the seams are liable to spontaneous combustion and large areas of 
coal have been lost as the result of fires (Plate 8). 
The coal is a hard, dull to bright black substance, occurring in 
seams composed of alternating laminae of bright, jetty and dull 
shaly coal, and containing a well-defined cleavage. It is bituminous, 
but only the coal from certain seams has good coking qualities. 
It contains from 10 to 15 per cent, less fixed carbon than coal 
from Giridih or Jharia. The best coal is found in the lower seams 
of the Raniganj series, particularly at Sanctoria, Dishargarh and 
Sibpur. As a rule the quality of the coal in the very thick seams, 
particularly in the lower measures, is inferior to that from the 
thinner seams. The average analysis of 31 samples analysed by 
Mr. Tweeni in 1870-73, is :— 
Muisfcnrc 4-30 
Volatile matter . 25-83 
Fixed Carbon 53-20 
Ash 16-17 
The analysis is interesting in that it shows the quality of the 
coal then worked. 
More recent analyses by Dr. Saise ^ gave the^ following sum- 
marized results : — 
Series. 
Moisture. 
VoIatUe 
matter. 
Fixed 
carbon. 
Asli. 
Remarks. 
Raniganj (upper seams) 
6-99 
32-30 
49-28 
11-43 
Average of 7 samples. 
Do. 
6-64 
32-06 
40-25 
21-05 
Average of 4 samples. 
Raniganj (lower seams) 
Do. 
3-79 
3-74 
31-76 
31-26 
52-94 
46-41 
11-51 
18-59 
Average of 20 
samples. 
Average of 8 samples. 
Barakar . 
1-12 
25-13 
59-75 
14-00 
2 samples from 
Chauch and Lailt- 
:ih. 
Average of 5 samples. 
Do. ... 
1-00 
26-80 
52-69 
19-51 
1 Rcc, Q. S. I., X, 156 (1877). 
a Eec. G. S. I., XXXI, pp. 104-107 (1j04). 
