Status of Coal Exploration in the Atlantic Coast of Colombia

Abstract

There are 36 coal basins in Colombia, grouped into seven principal coal zones. The most important of these are the César, Cerrejón, and San Jorge zones, all located in the northern part of the country. A feasibility study to locate a 600-MW thermal plant required that the authors investigate and explore the coal resources of the area. This work led to the discovery of the new field, El Descanso, with proven reserves at this date of 1,000 million MT of coal.

Presented herein are the results of the exploration and evaluation of fields in the César and Cerrejón zones, including the geological structures, the concession blocks that have been granted, and data on the reserves and quality of the coal deposits. This report includes information on the exploration of and the characteristics of the coal sequences in the four most important coal deposits in the César area: Boquerón, El Descanso, La Jagua, and La Loma, and the northern and central blocks of the Cerrejón basin. Also included are data on the lesser known San Jorge zone which contains the Alto San Jorge-San Pedro basin.

The heating power of the César coal is 26,100 kj/kg (11,200 BTU/lb); that of the Cerrejón coal 28,000 kj/kg (12,000 BTU/ lb). The coal at San Jorge averages 8,500 BTU/lb. Total demonstrated reserves (proved plus probable reserves) in the César area are 2,068.3 million MT of coal; in Cerrejón, 3,667.4 million MT; and in Alto San Jorge-San Pedro, 1,679.6 million MT, fora grand total of 7,425.3 million MT. The production capacity of coal from the Colombian Atlantic coast is 50,700 kt/yr.