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 shales. The journal aims to advance the environmentally sustainable exploration and utilization of these resources, as well as advancement of 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 modern 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; energy gases in coals and shales including coal bed methane, coal mine methane, abandoned mine methane

unconventional petroleum systems (e.g., shale gas, oil shales, oil sands, heavy oil, tight oil/gas)

Critical metals in coal, coal-bearing strata, acid-mine drainage, and coal combustion/gasification residues; recovery of critical metals from coal-based materials; resource recovery from coal mine waste.

Environmental aspects of coal and unconventional resources

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

coal utilization related to geology and constituents of coal

emission reduction and carbon 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.

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