This study investigates geophysical logging as a tool to predict coal quality. Some of the coal's chemical parameters were determined by laboratory analysis and were compared against values derived from geophysical logging correlation (natural gamma radiation and resistivity versus ash content, specifically). The results showed a strong correlation between the coal's natural gamma emissions and their ash content. From this correlation, a simple linear model was obtained and used to estimate ash grades, directly from geophysical logging records. The error of these predictions is less than ± 5%. Additionally, results showed no correlation between the sulphur grade, or volatile matter, and the geophysical records. Ash grades derived from natural gamma ray values can be usedas secondary information to evaluate coal quality during resource estimation, when combined with lab analysis and appropriate geostatiscal methods. The methodology is illustrated by means of a case study at a coal deposit located in southern Brazil.
Coal; geophysical logging; natural gamma ray; ashes
