The Coal Resources of China

T nWHE actual extent and distribution of coal reserves in China is a matter of considerable controversy. The accompanying maps present graphically the most recent statistical information available. Figure 1 has been based upon the estimates of W. H. Wong in the China Year Book for 1933, and he considers his statistics to be the most accurate available. Figure 2 has been constructed on the basis of known producing areas listed in the Commercial Gazetteer of China, in which the major producing mines are located by latitude and longitude and their production stated. Year Books and other available sources of reference supplemented these data. The two maps show the marked disparity between reserves and production due to a combination of circumstances that has limited development (Table 1). Coal is widely distributed throughout the country, and, in addition to the striking concentration in the Shansi-Shensi area, many regions have at least an adequate supply for local needs (Figure 1 ). In the outlying provinces of Sinkiang, Tsing Hai, and Kansu, reserves are known to exist, but no data regarding their actual locations are available; consequently, no attempt has been made to locate these on the map. In the southern provinces of China proper, coal outcrops promiscuously along the flanks of the mountains. This facilitates local production. Wong states that: It is difficult to go a distance of fifty miles anywhere in Yunnan without seeing some outcropping coal . . . and in Fukien it is so plentiful that even the poorest people keep their fires lighted day and night, as rekindling is found to be more expensive. Of the deposits in Northern China, those of the Shansi-Shensi region are by far the largest, although at the present time production is limited to such an extent that they are of little more than local importance (Figure 2). The Kailan area, on the other hand, with much smaller reserves, is of great significance, owing to its more favorable location for exploitation and marketing. Estimates of coal reserves in Manchukuo vary between 2,711,000,000 metric tons and 4,804,000,000 metric tons. China, as a whole, possesses approximately 248,287,000,000 metric tons. The disparity between the resources of the two countries despite the conflicting data regarding Manchukuo, is apparent (Table 1). Most of the

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