Coal Resources of the Cherokee Group in Eastern Kansas. I. Mulky Coal

Abstract

The Mulky coal is the uppermost coal in the Cherokee Group of rocks (Pennsylvanian). It occurs in Bourbon and Crawford counties, Kansas, where it has been mined, either by stripping or by drifting into the hillsides, only along the edge of the Fort Scott Limestone escarpment. Where mined, the Mulky coal is 7 to 22 inches thick, but averages only 12 inches. Mulky coal is classified as bituminous coal of high volatile A to B rank. Ash content is 10 to 25 percent, volatile matter 30 to 36 percent, moisture less than 2 percent, sulfur 3 to 6 percent, and heating value (moisture free basis) 10,000 to 13,000 Btu. Of the 3,582,630 tons of Mulky coal estimated and computed to have been mined, Bourbon County produced 2,415,360 tons and Crawford County 1,167,270 tons. Measured coal reserves 12 to 22 inches thick are estimated to underlie an area of 21,159 acres, all but 366 acres of which is in Bourbon County, and to total 47,020,450 tons. Indicated reserves underlie 53,679 acres, all in Bourbon County, and total 126,416,550 tons. Recoverable measured Mulky coal is estimated at 35,265,388 tons.