Coal Mines, Coal Geology, and Resource Data Online
Maps and Data
Coal Industry Map
This map shows the extent of Illinois' coal deposits; surface and underground mines, both active and inactive; coal transporation; and major coal-burning utilities. 7.2MB PDF file
Quadrangle Coal Mine Maps and Directories
These selected 1:24,000-scale, 7.5-minute quadrangle maps show active and abandoned mines and their known extent. They are presented online as PDF versions on a topographic map base which includes township, range, and section lines and surface features such as roads, towns, lakes, and rivers. The mines are color-coded by mining method and the relative precision and completeness of the source map used for the mine boundary are indicated. Accompanying each map is a directory that gives a brief history of mining on the quadrangle and lists for each mine the location of mine opening and tipples; the name, thickness, and depth of seams mined; production history; geologic problems reported; company names; mine names and numbers; type of mine; years operated; coal seam mined; and mine location. Links to these same files are also now available via the county coal mine maps and directories pages and maps.
County Coal Map and Data Series
The series contains coal resource maps, coal mine maps and directories, and coal logs. This index is designed as a starting point for gathering information on BScoal and mines within an Illinois county. After choosing a county, you will be taken to the county webpage where links to the maps and coal logs are displayed. Coal resource maps on this page include structural elevation, depth, thickness, sulfur, and chlorine maps of the Colchester, Danville, Davis, Dekoven, Herrin, Jamestown, Seelyville, and Springfield Coals. The coal mine maps are maps compiled by the ISGS of known mines, both underground and surface. The coal mine maps and accompanying directories, which provide basic information about the mines, represent the most comprehensive compilation of available data. Please note, however, that the accuracy and completeness of the mine maps and directories vary depending on the availability and quality of source material. The coal logs are non-confidential coal log descriptions from the Coal Section's stratigraphic database located in the county. These are part of the basis for the coal resource maps.
Statewide Coal Resource and Coal Quality Maps
Statewide coal maps on this page include structural elevation, depth, thickness, sulfur, and chlorine of major, potentially minable coal seams in Illinois. These include the Colchester, Danville, Davis, Dekoven, Herrin, Jamestown, Seelyville, and Springfield Coals. The maps presented here are page-sized (8.5 x 11 inches) maps available as PDF files. Herrin Coal structural elevation maps at a scale of 1:500,000 also available.
Statewide Trace Element Maps for the Herrin and Springfield Coals
These statewide trace element maps, which also include ash, total sulfur, and pyritic sulfur content to organic sulfur content ratio, are PDF versions and show trace element concentrations in the Herrin and Springfield Coals.
Illinois Coal-Related GIS Shapefiles and Coal Stratigraphic Data
Digital coal resource shapefiles and raw database files available from the ISGS Coal Section. The listed shapefiles are the same ones that were used to construct the County Coal Map Series maps and Mined Out Area maps.
Illinois Coal Quality Data
Non-confidential coal quality data from over 5,800 samples in Illinois. 3.8 MB Excel file
Publications
Mine Subsidence in Illinois: Facts for Homeowners
C 569, 2006, 6 MB PDF file
Coal Geology of Illinois
A summary of the information on Illinois Coal Geology, including characteristics of Illinois Coal, both by region and major minable seams. 3.6 MB PDF file
Pennsylvanian Stratigraphic Column and Nomenclature currently in use by the Coal Section
Availability of Coal Resources
- Availability of the Colchester Coal for Mining in Northern and Western Illinois IM 127, 2003, 40.4 MB PDF file
- Availability of the Danville, Jamestown, Seelyville, Davis, and Dekoven Coals for Mining in Illinois, IM 124, 2002, 9.1 MB PDF file
- Availability of the Herrin Coal for Mining in Illinois, IM120, 2000, 52 MB PDF file
- Map 1:500K - OFS 2000-10-part1, 3.1 MB PDF file
- Map 1:500K - OFS 2000-10-part2, 3.3 MB PDF file
- Map 1:500K - OFS 2000-10-part3, 7.1 MB PDF file
- Availability of the Springfield Coal for Mining in Illinois, IM118, 1999, 15.4 MB PDF file
- Map 1:500K, - OFS 2000 - 1-part1, 2.9 MB PDF file
- Map 1:500K, - OFS 2000 - 1-part2, 6.5 MB PDF file
- Availability of Coal Resources for Mining in Illinois. OFS 1999-7, Shawneetown Quadrangle, Gallatin County, Illinois and Union County, Kentucky. 3.9 MB PDF file
- Availability of Coal Resources for Mining in Illinois OFS 1998-1, Albion South, Peoria West, Snyder-West Union, Springerton, and Tallula Quadrangles, Clark, Edwards, Hamilton, Menard, Peoria, Sangamon, and White Counties, 1998; 98p. - 12 MB PDF file
- Availability of Coal Resources for Mining in Illinois OFS 1997-10 Augusta, Kewanee North, Mascoutah, Pinckneyville, and Roodhouse East Quadrangles, Adams, Brown, Green, Henry, Perry, Schuyler, and St. Clair Counties. 1997; 96p. - 10 MB PDF file
- Availability of Coal Resources for Mining in Illinois OFS 1996-2, Christian, Macoupin, Madison, Montgomery, and St. Clair Counties. 1996, 3.5 MB PDF file
- Availability of Coal Resources for Mining in Illinois, OFS 1996-3, Newton and Princeville Quadrangles, Jasper, Peoria, and Stark Counties, 1996, 3.9 MB PDF file
- Availability of Coal Resources For Future Development In Illinois, Reprint 1997D, 1997, 1.5 MB PDF file
- Availability of Coal for Efficient, Low-Cost Underground Mining in Illinois, SME, 1997, 356K PDF file
- Illinois Coal Reserve Assessment and Database Development: Final Report 5.2 MB PDF file
Paleoenvironments and Distribution of Low-Sulfur Coal in Illinois,
Reprint 1986e, 1986, 800 KB PDF file
Designing a Stratigraphic Database: An example from the Coal Section of the Illinois State Geological Survey.
Reprint 1993C, 1993. 300KB PDF file
Older and out of print publications
Updated 11/18/2009 AGL
