Appraisal of the Economic Geology of Nigerian Coal Resources

Abstract

The coal deposits discovered so far in Nigeria are located mainly in the Lower, Middle and Upper Benue Trough. The coal deposits of the Anambra Basin in the Lower Benue Trough, located in southeastern Nigeria contain the largest and most economically viable coal resources. In the Lower Benue Trough, lignite and sub-bituminous coals occur within the Mamu Formation (Middle Campanian – Late Maastrichtian). High-volatile bituminous coals are found within the Awgu Formation (Middle Turonian – Early Santonian) in the Middle Benue Trough while the Upper Benue Trough contains lignites and sub-bituminous coals in the Gombe Sandstone Formation (Early Campanian – Late Maastrichtian). On the economic geology, the sub-bituminous coals in the Lower and Upper Benue Trough are best for combustion, power generation and chemical production and better for liquefaction while the high-volatile bituminous coals in the Middle Benue Trough, besides its best for liquefaction, are the most suitable as raw material for coke making in steel manufacture.

Keywords: Nigerian Coal, Benue Trough, Sub-bituminous, Bituminous, Coking.