Wuda coal field (Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Shenhua Group)

The Wuda coal field is located NE of the Helan Mountain range in a desert-like environment with elevations ranging between 1100 and 1300m asl.

Location: latitude 39°28' to 39°34', longitude 106°36' to 106°40', Source: internal field report, 2002, unpublished

The coal layers of the Wuda coal field belong to the Upper Carboniferous and Lower Permian Taiyuan and Shanxi Formation. The coal bearing strata was deposited in marine near coastal swamps.

24 coal seams with a thickness of 0.2m to 6m are exposed in a 10km long and 4km wide N-S striking syncline. The coal quality is in the range of medium volatile bituminous coal. The surface of the Wuda coal field is strongly mined and mainly covered by sandstone or loose sand.

An area of 280.000 m2 is effected by coal fires. Most Coal fires occur underground and can be related to small scale mining operations.