Latest Developements in Coal Fire Research: Bridging the Science, Economics and Politics of a Global Disaster

Abstract

Various processes and conditions promote spontaneous combustion of coal deposits. In most cases, human activity, or rather misconduct, such as small-scale (wild) mining and improper sealing after mine closure, are at the origin of uncontrolled coal fires. The phenomenon and its connected hazards touch upon all society and need to be dealt with comprehensively. Extinguishing uncontrolled coal seam fires, however, is an extremely difficult, time-consuming, and costly enterprise. Even large-scale efforts often fail since they lack a thorough scientific understanding of the processes leading up to and controlling coal fire development. The Second International Conference on Coal Fire Research (ICCFR2) gives the background of different disciplines working on coal fire research.