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Sources of fossil fuels - what are they?There are several different sources of fossil fuels. Different methods are required to extract each type and the location of the resource is also a major consideration. Types of fossil fuels are coal, oil and natural gas. Each is discussed separately below.
COAL
Coal is obtained in one of two ways. It is either surface mined in open pits or it is mined underground. The method of coal mining used is dependent on the depth of the coal deposit. This image shows an open cut coal mine in Australia . Open cut mines are used for extracting both brown and black coals.The process of forming coal means that is is a stationary substance unlike oil and natural gas. This allows the open cut and pit mining techniques to be effective. Problems with mining techniques.Both methods of coal extraction have their problems. While open cut mining is undoubtedly the safer of the two there are issues that must be addressed. Recently in the Latrobe valley in Victoria, Australia a mine wall collapsed resulting in a massive subsidence of land around it. A river was running through that part of the countryside until the wall collapsed, but now it is pouring into the mine pit.This problem caused a squeeze in the capacity of the Yallourn power station, located next to the mine, to meet the electricity demands of the residents of Victoria. Return from Sources of Fossil Fuels to Fossil Future OR return to the Green Planet home page for more Solar Power Facts.
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