Wes Nichols, Senior Geologist at Anglo Coal’s Callide Mine in Queensland, presented a talk entitled “The Concept of the Coal Chain” at Murdoch University on 13th July 2006. Co-sponsored by CSRP and Murdoch University, the lecture traced the story of the coal chain from its geological formation through to its commercial uses. A group of school teachers, academics and other interested participants heard Wes discussed some of the chemical and physical properties of various varieties of coal and the $17-plus billion dollars of economic value it adds to Australia. Different methods of underground and open pit mining were covered as well as production methods and distribution of product. Wes completed his talk by looking at some of the environmental problems and possible solutions to the use of coal.
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Wes Nichols has been the Senior Geologist at Anglo Coal’s Callide Mine since 2000. He has published a number of papers on geology and geophysics in national and international journals, has delivered presentations at a number of conferences and has been industry monitor for several Australian Coal Association research and development projects. He was chair of the Bowen Basin Geologists Group from 2000-2004 and is the current chair of the Geological Society of Australia’s Coal Geology Group.
All those who attended were hosted at a morning tea following the talk.
