Occurrence & Locations

Detailed information about where Coal is found across Nigeria

Abakaliki(Anambra Basin

Ebonyi State • Abakaliki LGA

2019

Location Details:

The Anambra basin, located in South Eastern Nigeria, appears to contain the largest and most economic viable coal resources.

Specifications:

Unspecifield

Estimated Reserves:

1.5 Million tones.

Coordinates: 6.323100°N, 8.112000°E

Udi Ridge

Enugu State • Udi LGA

2019

Location Details:

Udi is a local government area of Enugu State, Nigeria. Its headquarters is in the town of Udi

Specifications:

Un specified

Estimated Reserves:

270,000 hectars

Coordinates: 7.166700°N, 7.500000°E

Okaba

Kogi State • Ankpa LGA

2019

Location Details:

okaba is a village in Ankpa local government area of Kogi state, Nigeria.

Specifications:

Unspecified

Estimated Reserves:

250 million tons

Coordinates: 7.406847°N, 7.803848°E

Overview

Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock usually occurring in rock strarata in layers or veins called coal beds or coal seams. The harder forms, such as anthracite coal, can be regarded as metamorphic rock because of later exposure to elevated temperature and pressure. Coal is composed primarily ofcarbon along with variable quantities of other elements, chiefly hydrogen, sulphur, oxygen, and nitrogen. It is formed when dead plant matter is converted into peat, which in turn is converted into lignite, then sub-bituminous coal, then bituminous coal, and lastly anthracite. This involves biological and geological processes that take place over a long period of time.

Uses & Applications

Fuel
Electricity generation
Carbon dioxide production
Production of organic chemicals.

Characteristics

Composition

Primary Carbon

Secondary          hydrogen,
                            Sulfur,
                             oxygen,
                            nitrogen

Table 26: Approximations of Coal Quality by Area in Nigeria

Area	Moisture%	Ash%	Sulphur%	Heating Value Btu/lb	Kcal/Kg
Ogboyoga(	13.50	8.00	0.58	9,930	5,520
Okaba(Kogi)	10.30	9.30	0.65	10,280	5,710
Orukpa(Benue)	11.80	11.20	0.40	9,990	5,550
Ezimo(Benue)	10.90	6.40	0.50	10,900	6,050
Enugu	7.60	6.70	0.93	11,900	6,610

Source: FMMSD 2010 Report on Coal

Occurrence

Coal deposits can be found in Enugu, Ebonyi, Nasarawa, Gombe, Benue, Kogi and Anambra

Processing

Processing of Run-Of-Mine (ROM) coal is done at the site away from the mine using water. However, the dry process will be economical as it will not utilize water and thus no dewatering or drying of the product will be required.

The following procedures are performed for processing:

Sizing: This is controlled by crushing and screening process
Removal of noncombustible: Ash and rock are removed by gravity separator.
Removal of minerals and chemical components: Sulfur, sodium and trace elements are removed by a combination of gravity separation and blending.

Market Information

Coal is the largest single source of fuel for the generation of electricity world-wide. World coal consumption is about 5.3 billion tonnes annually, of which about 75% is used for the generation of electricity. China and India used about 1.7 billion tonnes annually, and forecasted to exceed 2.7 billion tonnes by 2025. The USA consumes about 1.0 billion tonnes of coal each year, using 90% of it for generation of electricity.

From the above, there is enormous market for coal world-wide. The current persistent power crisis, especially in developing countries can be addressed if attention is moved toward coal for power generation and other uses. The current wave of industrialization requires enormous supply of coal for their operation. Estimates of the cost of producing liquid fuels from coal suggest that production of fuel from coal is cost-competitive with oil priced at about 75 USD per barrel. This makes coal a viable financial alternative to oil.

Investment Opportunities

Nigerian coal has been found suitable for boiler fuel, production of high calorific gas, domestic heating, briquettes, formed coke and the manufacture of a wide range of chemicals including waxes, resins, adhesives and dyes. Their characteristic properties (low sulfur and ash content and low thermoplastic properties), make these sub-bituminous coals ideal for coal-fired electric power plants.

The domestic coal market is large in addition to its potential for power generation; Nigeria currently imports coals of various grades and qualities including coke, pellets, briquettes, anthracite, coking coal and form coke. There is also the potential for coal exports to countries such as China, Israel, Japan, Ghana, the U.S., Europe and India.