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Chapter One: How Coal Formed
The different forms of coal are differentiated by their carbon content and heat (or
energy) content, which is measured in the heat or energy units called BTUs (British
Thermal Units) per pound in weight, as follows:
• Peat is 20–40 percent carbon, with a heat content of 2,000–6,000 BTUs per
pound.
• Lignite is 25–35 percent carbon, with a heat content of 4,000–8,000 BTUs per
pound.
• Sub-bituminous coal is 35–45 percent carbon, with a heat content of 8,000–
12,000 BTUs per pound.
• Bituminous coal is 60–85 percent carbon, with a heat content of 10,000–
15,000 BTUs per pound.
• Anthracite is 90–98 percent carbon, with a heat content of up to 15,000 BTUs
per pound.
The Morden Mine on Vancouver Island, British Colombia, was built in 1913. No longer
active, the mine is now on Canada’s list of historic places.