International Journal of Coal Geology

The International Journal of Coal Geology deals with fundamental and applied aspects of the geology, petrology, geochemistry and mineralogy of coal, oil/gas source rocks, and organic matter-rich shales. The journal aims to advance the environmentally sustainable exploration and utilization of these resources, as well as advancement of geologically-related engineering and technology for effective resource management towards net-zero carbon goals.

The scope of the journal encompasses basic research, computational and laboratory studies, technology development, and field studies in:

• Geology, geochemistry, mineralogy, and petrology

  • formation of coal and coal seams, including studies of coal-forming processes and environments

  • metamorphosis of coal and dispersed organic matter in source rocks

  • geologic aspects of coal measures, oil- and gas-source rocks

  • petrology, mineralogy, geochemistry, and petrophysics of coal, coal seams, and organic matter-rich shales.

• Exploration and development of coal and unconventional resources

  • formation, transport and storage of carbon related to coal geology; energy gases in coals and shales including coal bed methane, coal mine methane, abandoned mine methane

  • unconventional petroleum systems mainly focusing on studies of shale gas and oil shales

  • Geology, exploration, and resource identification of critical minerals and critical materials in coal, coal-bearing sequences, acid-mine drainage, and other fossil fuel materials; modes of occurrence and recovery of critical minerals and critical materials from coal-based resources.

• Environmental aspects of coal and unconventional resources

  • geologically-related impacts of coal mining, acid-mine drainage, and exploitation of unconventional resources

  • coal utilization related to geology and constituents of coal

  • engineering and technology for carbon emission reduction, capture, storage, and utilization

  • geological and environmental aspects of coal fires and underground coal gasification.

• Application of computational methods for geology and engineering of coal and unconventional resource management

  • Application of big data and artificial intelligence (AI) including, but not limited to, machine learning, automated reasoning and inference, case-based reasoning, computer vision, knowledge representation, remote sensing, spatial statistics and uncertainty evaluation for the topics covered within the scope of the journal

  • Development and application of analytical methods for geochemistry, mineralogy, petrology and pore space of coal and unconventional energy systems

  • Application of numerical modeling methods, preferably validated by experimental or field data, in support of technology development and environmental management of resources covered by the journal.

Types of contributions published are: research papers describing original theoretical (with potential for application) and applied research, proceedings of symposia, review papers in a particular topic, short contributions, surveys, book reviews, and letters to the editor. Research papers that combine theory and experiments and/or field studies are especially welcome. Review papers are only an invitation basis; if the authors are not invited but would like to contribute a review paper, please write to the editors first for advice. Note that topics including coal mining technology and engineering, mining safety, rock mechanics, and chemical engineering are not within the journal scope unless they are closely related to coal geology.

This journal welcomes contributions that support and advance the UN's sustainable development goals, in particular SDG 7 (Affordable and clean energy)