COALVAL

This paper highlights COALVAL, a coal property evaluation software package developed by the U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) on Lotus 1-2-3, version 2.2, spreadsheet. The software is also compatible with version 3.1, and provisionally with version 2.01. COALVAL is a menu-driven program that produces a prefeasibility-level cost analysis of mine-planned coal resources. The software contains cost models for each of five coal mining methods commonly employed in Appalachia: auger, contour strip, mountain top removal, continuous miner and longwall. COALVAL allows individuals to input resource data and the various production, operating, and cost variables that pertain to their property The program can evaluate up to 25 seams, each to be mined with up to 5 different mining methods, within a given area. Summary spreadsheet listing the cost per clean ton to mine the resources, F.O.B. The tipple, are produced for each property, seam, and mining method/seam combination