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Lignite, also known as brown coal, is the lowest rank of coal. It is present across all states of Australia but is most abundant in the Gippsland Basin in Victoria. Smaller amounts of lignite can also be found in the Otway, Murray, and Eucla basins, as well as in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and Western Australia. Lignite is largely used for energy production, with Victoria's Loy Yang open-cut mine providing about 50% of the state's electricity needs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lignite reserves in the world | 150 billion tons |
| North Dakota's share of world lignite reserves | 20% |
| Australia's share of world lignite reserves | 37 billion tons |
| Lignite in Australia | Brown coal or lignite is found in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales |
| Largest black coal resources in Australia | Queensland and New South Wales |
| Percentage of coal mined in Australia that is exported | 70% |
| Destinations for Australia's coal exports | Asian countries, especially Japan, Korea, India, and Taiwan |
| Largest coal exporters in Australia | BHP, Glencore, Yancoal, Peabody, Anglo American, and Whitehaven Coal |
| Primary use of brown coal in Australia | Energy production |
| Percentage of Australia's electricity sourced from coal power | More than half |
| Basins with significant coal resources in Australia | Bowen, Maryborough, Surat, Laura, Sydney, Gunnedah, Clarence-Moreton, Gloucester, and Eromanga |
| States with smaller coal reserves in Australia | Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania |
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What You'll Learn
Lignite is found in the Gippsland Basin in Victoria
Lignite, or brown coal, is the lowest rank of coal. It contains less carbon and has less chemical potential energy than black coal. It also has a high moisture content, which makes it crumble easily and reduces its value as fuel. In Australia, lignite is found in all states but is most abundant in the Gippsland Basin in Victoria.
The Gippsland Basin is geographically restricted (46,000 km2), with approximately two-thirds of the basin located offshore, about 200 km east of Melbourne. It is bounded to the north by the Paleozoic basement of the Eastern Uplands, to the west by uplifted Lower Cretaceous fault blocks, and to the southwest by the Bassian Rise, which separates it from the Bass Basin. The Latrobe Group, which is host to large oil and gas accumulations, is found within the Gippsland Basin and contains in excess of 10 km of Cretaceous to Neogene sediments.
The Gippsland Basin is one of Australia's most prolific hydrocarbon provinces. Most commercial oil and gas discoveries are reservoired within the siliciclastics of the Late Cretaceous to Paleogene Latrobe Group. The remaining reserves are estimated at 400 MMbbl of liquids and 6 Tcf of gas. A network of pipelines brings the produced hydrocarbons to the onshore petroleum processing facilities near Longford.
The Loy Yang Complex and Yallourn W power stations are located in the Latrobe Valley within the Gippsland Region of Victoria, and the coal is mined from near-surface deposits in the Yallourn-Morwell and Loy Yang coalfields. During the 2015-2016 financial year, brown coal generated 19% of Australian electricity, down from 20.2% during 2014-2015.
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Smaller amounts are in the Otway, Murray and Eucla basins
Lignite, or brown coal, is found in smaller amounts in the Otway, Murray, and Eucla basins of Australia. While it is present across all states of the country, lignite is most abundant in the Gippsland Basin of Victoria.
The Otway Basin, located in Victoria, is characterised by its geological history of rifting and compression. The basin is divided into several sub-basins, including the Inner Otway Basin, Torquay Sub-basin, Morum Sub-basin, Nelson Sub-basin, and Hunter Sub-basin. These sub-basins formed due to two major phases of rifting, with the Inner Otway Basin developing during the late Jurassic period and the remaining sub-basins resulting from renewed rifting in the late Cretaceous. The basin's fill is defined by eight distinct stratigraphic groups, and it has undergone compressional phases, inversion, and wrenching of pre-existing structures.
The Murray Basin, shared between Victoria and South Australia, is another area with smaller amounts of lignite. While the basin is known for its coal resources, Victorian brown coals are distinct due to their low ash and sulfur content. However, these coals have high moisture content, which has limited their export potential.
The Eucla Basin spans Western Australia and South Australia, covering approximately 69,500 square miles (180,000 square kilometres). The basin is composed of two main aquifers, with an upper layer of Neogene and Paleogene limestones and a deeper layer of Cretaceous sandstone. The unique geological characteristics of the Eucla Basin have given rise to subterranean caves and tunnels created by percolating surface water.
While lignite deposits are present in these basins, their exploitation and use have evolved over time. For instance, Victoria's Morwell power station closed in 2014, and the Anglesea coal mine and power station ceased operations in 2015. In contrast, the Loy Yang Complex and Yallourn W power stations in the Latrobe Valley continue to utilise lignite from nearby coalfields.
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Lignite is also found in Queensland and New South Wales
Lignite, or brown coal, is found in Queensland and New South Wales, in addition to South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria. Queensland and New South Wales have the largest share of Australia's total identified coal resources, with the Bowen Basin in Queensland and the Sydney Basin in New South Wales being the country's principal black coal-producing basins.
In Queensland, coal mining began near Ipswich in 1825, and the state is home to several new coal mines that are planned for development, including the Olive Downs mine near Coppabella. In New South Wales, development has been particularly influenced by coal during the 20th century, with the Port of Newcastle being the world's largest and most efficient coal-handling operation. The state also has several coal export ports, and coal royalties accounted for approximately 4.2% of the New South Wales government's total revenue in the 2022-23 financial year.
Brown coal, or lignite, has a lower carbon content and, therefore, less chemical potential energy than black coal. It also has a higher moisture content, which can lead to spontaneous combustion and cause problems in transportation and storage. However, lignite is often found in thick beds located near the surface, making it inexpensive to mine. In Victoria, Australia, the energy content of lignite averages 8.6 MJ/kg on a net wet basis.
Lignite is primarily used to generate electricity, with small amounts used in agriculture, industry, and jewelry. It has also been used for home heating, although this practice is becoming less common.
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Lignite was discovered in Tasmania in 1833
Lignite, also known as brown coal, was discovered in Tasmania at Plunkett Point in 1833. It is a soft, brown combustible sedimentary rock formed from naturally compressed peat. Lignite has a carbon content of 25-35% on an as-received basis and is considered the lowest rank of coal due to its low heat content. It is mostly used as a fuel for power generation, with small amounts being used in agriculture, industry, and even jewellery.
Lignite is found in thick beds near the surface, making it inexpensive to mine. However, its high moisture content, tendency to crumble, and low energy density make it inefficient and expensive to transport over long distances. As a result, it is often burned in power stations near the mines. Lignite combustion produces less heat and more carbon dioxide and sulphur emissions per megawatt-hour generated compared to other coals, making it the most harmful coal to human health.
In Tasmania, minor lignite resources occur in the Longford Basin. Currently, lignite is only mined in Victoria, Australia, where it is used to supply power stations, produce soil conditioners and fertilisers, and create briquettes for industrial and domestic use.
Australia has extensive lignite resources, with the second-largest reserves in the world after North Dakota. Lignite mining in Australia has been criticised due to its contribution to carbon dioxide emissions and climate change. Despite this, coal provides a rich revenue stream for the Australian government, with about 70% of mined coal being exported, primarily to eastern Asia.
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Lignite was first discovered in Australia in 1791
Lignite, also known as brown coal, was first discovered in Australia in 1791. This discovery predates the mining and export of coal in the country, which began in 1799. Lignite is a soft, brown, combustible sedimentary rock formed from naturally compressed peat. It has a lower carbon content, typically around 25-35%, resulting in less chemical potential energy than black coal.
In Australia, black coal was initially discovered in Newcastle in 1791. This discovery marked the beginning of coal exploration and extraction in the country, with mining and export operations commencing in 1799. The early coal mining activities played a significant role in the progress of European settlement in Australia. As settlers spread to other regions, further coal discoveries were made.
The Latrobe Valley in Victoria, Australia, is particularly notable for its extensive lignite reserves, estimated at 65 billion tonnes. The Latrobe Valley's coal seams can reach thicknesses of up to 98 metres (322 feet), with multiple coal seams often resulting in continuous brown coal thicknesses of up to 230 metres (755 feet). This makes the Latrobe Valley a significant location for lignite extraction in Australia.
Lignite is often found in thick beds located near the surface, making it relatively inexpensive to mine. However, its characteristics, including low energy density, a tendency to crumble, and high moisture content, pose challenges for transportation and storage. These factors also contribute to lower efficiency in long-distance transportation, making it less desirable for extensive global trade compared to higher-grade coals.
Historically, lignite has been an important fuel source for power stations, particularly those located near the mines. For example, the Latrobe Valley in Australia, and similar plants in Poland and Texas, utilise lignite for electricity generation. However, due to the environmental concerns associated with carbon dioxide emissions, there has been a gradual decline in the use of lignite-fired power.
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Frequently asked questions
Lignite, also known as brown coal, is present in all states of Australia but is most abundant in the Gippsland Basin in Victoria. Smaller amounts of brown coal can also be found in the Otway, Murray, and Eucla basins, as well as in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and Western Australia.
Lignite is used for energy production in Australia. In 2017, coal, including lignite, was used to produce about 60% of the nation's electricity requirements.
Australia has the largest lignite reserves in the world, with 37 billion tons. North Dakota, the second-largest reserve, contains almost 20% of the world's lignite reserves.
