COAL RESOURCES

AND THEIR
STATUS IN NEPAL

BASKOTA, Shiv Kumar

Senior Divisional Geologist
Department of Mines & Geology (DMG),
Ministry of Industry
Government of Nepal
INTRODUCTION
Inner Himalaya (Tethys Himalaya)
------- South Tibetan Detachment Fault System------
Higher Himalaya
-------------- Main Central Thrust -----------
Lesser Himalaya
-------- Main Boundary Thrust--------
Sub- Himalaya
-------- Himalayan Frontal Thrust----------
Terai Plain

Coal Resources and Their Status in Nepal 2

COAL RESOURCES
1.Quaternary Lignite Deposits of Kathmandu
Valley
2.Siwalik Coal of the Sub-Himalayas

3.Cretaceous- Eocene Coal of the Lesser

Himalayas

4. Gondwana Coal of the Lesser Himalayas

Coal Resources and Their Status in Nepal 3

COAL RESOURCES

In: Mineral Resources of Nepal, 2016 DMG

Coal Resources and Their Status in Nepal 4

 COAL RESOURCES
1.Quaternary Lignite Deposits of Kathmandu Valley
• Geological Setting: In Fluvio-lacustrine sediments of Lukundol
Formation
• Reserve and Quality: Quantitative Evaluation not performed; seam
thickness varies from few centimeters to 1.83 m with maximum
extensions of 750 m. Peat to Lignite Quality
• Mining Activities: Exploited since early 1960’s to 1990’s. None of
them are in operation due to lack of proper market.
2.Siwalik Coal of the Sub-Himalayas
• Geological Setting: In the form of lenses and stringers within
the Siwalik Rocks ; mm to few centimeters in thickness and few
meters long.
• Reserve and Quality: No commercially feasible deposits.
Lignite to Semi- Anthracite Quality
Coal Resources and Their Status in Nepal 5
 COAL RESOURCES
3.Cretaceous- Eocene Coal of the Lesser Himalayas
• Geological Setting: Carbonaceous shale with ferruginous quartzite
and black shale of Oligocene age serve as host rock
• Reserve and Quality: Possible Reserve of 5 million tons of coal;
seam thickness varies from few centimeters to 2.5 m with
maximum extensions of 3000 m. Sub- Bituminous Grade with
calorific value upto 7212 kcal/kg.
• Mining Activities: Some of the reserves are still mined
4. Gondwana Coal of the Lesser Himalayas
• Geological Setting: Carbonaceous shale serve as host rock; Fault
controlled
• Reserve and Quality: Possible Reserve of <1 million tons of coal;
seam thickness upto 8 m with maximum extensions of 50 m.
Anthracite Grade with calorific value upto 7521 kcal/kg.
• Mining Activities: Some of the reserves are still mined
Coal Resources and Their Status in Nepal 6
COAL RESOURCES

DMG Brochure

Coal Resources and Their Status in Nepal 7

COAL QUALITY

DMG Brochure

Coal Resources and Their Status in Nepal 8

PRESENT STATUS

14 Mining Licences
4 Prospecting Licenses

Coal Resources and Their Status in Nepal 9

 PRODUCTION
Production (Metric Tons)

Fiscal Year

Fiscal Year Production( metric ton)

2009/10 7867.24
2010/11 9934.51
2011/12 10499.26
2012/13 13838.3
2013/14 8151.23
2014/15 6754.12
2015/16 2900.3
2016/17 7024.96
DMG, Mineral Resources Division

Coal Resources and Their Status in Nepal 10

CONSUMPTION

Economic Survey, 2016/17

Coal Resources and Their Status in Nepal 11

PRODUCTION AND IMPORT

Production Data: DMG

Import Data: Foreign Trade Statistics of Nepal, TEPC

Coal Resources and Their Status in Nepal 12

PROBLEMS WITH COAL MINES
1. Quantity:
Small Geological Reserves
2. Quality:
Mostly Sub- Bituminous Grade

Coal Resources and Their Status in Nepal 13

PROBLEMS WITH COAL MINES
3. Mining Method:
Traditional Mining

Coal Resources and Their Status in Nepal 14

PROBLEMS WITH COAL MINES
3. Mining Method:
Traditional Mining

Coal Resources and Their Status in Nepal 15

PROBLEMS WITH COAL MINES
3. Mining Method:
Traditional Mining

Coal Resources and Their Status in Nepal 16

PROBLEMS WITH COAL MINES
4. Cross Cutting Issues
Lengthy Governmental Procedure
Difficulties in Land acquisition
Conflict within different acts and regulations

Coal Resources and Their Status in Nepal 17

WAY AHEAD
1. Mechanised mining is NOT viable due to small
resources and low quality
2. Improved tools, use of electric pumps and
compressors can increase efficiency to some extent
3. Government of Nepal has stopped further
exploration of coal in its regular programme!

Coal Resources and Their Status in Nepal 18

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Wel-come you all in the land of the Mt. Everest