This report is the revised version of the interim report 1/ of the group
of lignite experts from ten countries of Asia on their visit to Australia in
October-November 1955, which was undertaken under the joint sponsorship of
the United Nations Technical Assistance Administration and the Economic Commission
for Asia and the Far East. All data presented in the interim report have been
carefully checked, and in certain cases, amendments were made to improve the
accuracy or clarify the statements. Information received after the completion
of the study tour was incorporated.
In studying the report, it must be pointed out that appendices attached
to the report are as important as the report itself. They contain many
technical data most of which have not been available before. The statements on
the development of lignite resources of participating countries give a general
picture of the lignite situation in Asia, its present development and the
problem involved. Thus the report and appendices together give a comprehensive
review of the lignite industry of two continents: Asia and Australia.
There is no intention to hide the fact that many obstacles must still be
overcome if the lignite mining industry in Asia is to be properly developed,
and that improvements may still be made on Australian practice. Indeed, it
would not be a technical report if these facts were concealed. Thus the report
intends to state not only what can be learned from Australia, but also what remains
to be done. It should be of interest to experts and authorities in Asia and
Australia, as well as to those who are concerned with the development of
low-grade coal deposits throughout the world.
The word "lignite" has been used in a loose sense. The quality of lignites
of countries of Asia varies very widely, and this makes generalizations
difficult. Every lignite deposit has its own characteristics and there is no
single formula to solve all the problems involved. While the observations made
during the st