A "bed of coal" refers to a layer or stratum of coal deposits that are generally found beneath the Earth's surface. It signifies a vast accumulation of coal within sedimentary rock formations, which occurs due to the slow and gradual decomposition of organic matter, primarily plants, over millions of years. This process, known as coalification, results in the transformation of plant material into coal through various stages, with the final product being a solid, black, combustible substance.
Typically, a bed of coal is found in coalfields or coal basins, which are regions containing large reserves of coal. These coalfields are commonly exploited for energy production or industrial purposes due to the high carbon content of coal, which makes it an efficient fuel source.
The thickness and extent of a bed of coal can greatly vary, ranging from a few inches to several meters. Often, multiple layers or seams of coal can be present within a single bed, which can differ in quality, thickness, and chemical composition.
Bed of coal formations have immense economic importance as they serve as significant reserves of energy and play a pivotal role in various industries like power generation, steel production, and cement manufacturing. The extraction and utilization of coal from such beds involve mining techniques, which can be either surface mining, such as open-pit mining, or underground mining, including shaft mining or longwall mining.
