Relationships between chemical and mineral composition of coal and their potential applications as genetic indicators. Part 2. Mineral classes, groups and species

Part 1 of the present work elucidated some general considerations of inorganic matter in coal and determined and explained the relationships, namely statistically significant positive or negative correlations, for chemical characteristics. Complete data from chemical (proximate, ultimate and ash analyses) and mineral composition (major and minor minerals) of 37 coal samples worldwide were used for that purpose. The present Part 2 provides and explains the significant correlations for minerals of these coals. Then, some important relationships between the composition and rank and ash-fusion characteristics of the coals are described. Further, definitive mineralogical and geochemical indicators for genetic interpretations of coal formation are summarized. Finally, the potential implications of these relationships and indicators are discussed and certain new features that may be used as criteria for clarifying the coal properties and for predicting specific technological and environmental problems related to this fuel are also introduced and suggested.