PROSPECTS OF COAL RESERVES TYPIFICATION FOR CONSOLIDATED RECORDING
Relevance. Investigation into the issues and existing prerequisites for development of a system of consolidated recording of the bulk of coal in the form of the reserves in place, the mined raw material and the goods to be sold proved the implementability of the task. The consolidated recording will facilitate a proper assessment of the country’s resource potential, as well as that of individual mineral developers, making it transparent and comprehensive for international investors. On the other hand, the recording eliminates the discrepancies in the governmental regulation of taxes imposed for the use of subsoil. The aim of the research is to offer an approach to development of a consolidated classification of coals for the typification of reserves. Objects: the fields of mineral, brown and anthracite coal. The approbation was performed using coal of different grade compositions mined by «Resurs» Company from the existing mine sites located in Erunakovsky and Prokopievsk-Kiselevsk geological and economic districts. The approach offered is based on the existing regulatory frame work containing the standards used in the CIS countries, including GOST 25543-2013. Methods: comparative analysis of the existing approaches to coal classification, use of grades, process groups and types of usage as the criteria for typification of reserves. Results. The paper demonstrates the issues of understanding the advanced processing as the criterion for evaluation of coals and the need to introduce it as a requirement for proper performance of geological prospecting intended to identify and outline the coals having different process properties. The criterion, as well as other indicators of coal value, is required to typify coals depending on the degree of their processing. The paper contains recommendations on rating of coals based on process groups, as well as the typification of coal reserves. The division of coal reserves by areas of coal use, applied as an evaluation criterion, provides the correct justification and design of exploration within the boundaries of the licensed area.