The reconstruction of a palaeoenvironment for the Number 4 Lower Coal Seam towards the eastern boundary of the Highveld Coalfield and the associated influence on the coal qualities

Abstract: Mining activities were impacted by in-seam clastic partings, which effected the coal distribution and quality of the coal seam. The Number 4 Lower Coal Seam (C4L) and associated clastic partings in a portion of the Highveld Coalfield were studied to determine the palaeoenvironment under which the succession was deposited. Literature reviews were undertaken to gain an understanding of the regional setting of the coalfield and the associated depositional environment. A database with 186 vertical boreholes was used to create cross-sections through the study area. The database was corrected by removing all dolerites in order to restore the lithologies to their pre-intrusion positions. The C4L was divided into four coal units, C4LBA, C4LBB, C4LTC and C4LTD, and two in-seam clastic units, S4LFL and S4LP to better understand the relationship between the parting and the coal...M.Sc. (Geology