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14 Coal
while Alaska and Western states yield sub-bituminous coal. Canada has the world’s
12th-largest
reserves
of coal. Most Canadian coal is mined in the west, in British
Columbia and Alberta, with smaller amounts in Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, and
Nova Scotia. Mining in Mexico, which has less than 0.2 percent of world reserves, is
mainly in the northeastern province of Coahuila, south of Texas.
Later Stages: Anthracite and Graphite
In those places where coal formation continues past the bituminous stage, the next
form is anthracite. This is “old” or “mature” coal. It is very hard, heavy, dry, black,
and shiny. It also has the most energy content, which is linked to its carbon content.
It burns with little smoke and fewer forms of pollution than other kinds of coal.
Most anthracite in the United States comes from an area called the Coal Region in
northeastern Pennsylvania.
Bituminous coal.