COAL RESERVES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 June 1938, Page 9

COAL RESERVES

SURVEY BY INTERNATIONAL LABOUR OFFICE.

GENEVA, April.

A report on the world coal industry being prepared by the International Labour Office for submission to the World Coal Conference estimates that if the future rate of coal extraction does not . exceed the 1925-35 average, the world’s reserves of bituminous and anthracite coal are sufficient to last at least 37 centuries. Should the extraction rate increase, however, by 0.5 per cent annually, then, according to the report, the world supply would last only about six centuries; or, with an increase of 2 per cent annually, it would last only about 200 years. The proved and probable world reserves are estimated at 4.000.000 million metric tons.

The greatest reserves of any country. the report shows, are in the United States. These are placed at 1,975,000 million metric tons. With the extraction rate continuing at the 1925-35 average (535.8 million metric tons per year) they are good for 3,686 years; but with an increase of 0.5 per cent annually in the extraction rate, they will last only 593 years; or 217 years, with an increase of 2 per cent annually.

If Soviet Russia’s extraction rate continues at the 1925-35 average (30.3 million metric tons annually) her reserves, estimated at 1,075,000 million metric tons, probably will outlast those of all competitors; for, at that rate, they are good for 35.478 years. With an increase of 0.5 per cent annually, they should last 1,037 years; or 330 years, with an annual increase of 2 per cent. Great Britain’s reserves, estimated at 200,000 metric tons, are good for 868 years with the extraction rate continuing at the 1925-35 average (230.3 million metric tons per year). With an increase of 0.5 per cent annually, they should last 329 years: or 147 years with an annual increase of 2.0 per cent.