CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF COAL IN KOSOVA BASIN AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF MINING

Kosovo is rich in coal resources/reserves.. Geological coal reserves and resources in Kosovo are estimated in 12.5 billion tons (INKOS 2008).The coal in Kosovo is used mainly in power (electricity) generation and less amount for heating. The extensive basic sampling on the Kosovo coal basin resource in the 1970´s comprised only the general analysis of the heat value, volatiles, moisture, ash and sulphur contents. Institut INKOS sh.a. in the 2007 conducted the samples from the field. The samples were transferred to Swedish laboratory Analycen in Lindköping that is accredited laboratory according to ISO/IEC 17025. From the assay data have been determined chemical composition of coal. The first was given a criterion. Are used assay data from sample on “as received basis”. Kosovo’s basin coal belongs to typical lignite types with dark grey color. Chemical properties of lignite are given from ultimate and proximate analysis. The heating value of lignite is 9.28 MJ/kg. Ash of this lignite has a typical composition for lignite coal ashes. The impacts of opencast mining are considerable. Main impacts on the environment by coal mining and production of significant quantities of ash is reflected in following main aspects: huge overburden dumps; influences on surrounding terrain by excavation; total loss of naturally grown environmental contents and relations; change of hydro-geological regime in wider area; soil pollution and ground-/surface water pollution (wider area in the water shed) owing to soil alterations and coal processing (ash deposits, processing water release); air pollution due to dust expositions while excavating and conveying; influences on terrain stability within mine (working slopes) and surface deformation (subsidence of the soil); noise due to working conveyor belts.