ABSTRACT
Adequate coal reserves exist, but it is uncertain how much and what kinds of coal will be most desirable in the market in the future. Coal exploration, recovery and beneficiation techniques are well known, but there exists a need for productivity increases and increased efficiency through technology. Environmental regulation has been a major constraint for coal production since major legislation was enacted in the early 1970s. Sulfur removal and reclamation needs appear to be the most troublesome Issues to Industry. Increased coal production will certainly result in large population increases in sparsely populated areas, both from basic mine personnel and indirect employment. Besides the environmental constraints, unavailability of federal leases and uncertainties of future federal leasing procedures have severely hampered industry planning. There exist various factors which affect coal production. These factors center around uncertainties in economics, technology, environmental concerns, socio-economic issues, and governmental regulation.
