Maceral types in some Permian southern African coals

A suite of Permian Gondwana coals from southern Africa, exclusive of the Republic of South Africa, were examined petrographically. With the exception of a single low volatile bituminous/semi-anthracite coal from Mozambique, the coal rank is high volatile bituminous C. Most coals were dominated by inertinite-group macerals, primarily semifusinite and detrital inertinite (inertodetrinite), but with significant secretinite in some cases. Vitrinite-group macerals were absent in several Zambian coals. When considering these coals, it becomes apparent that not all Gondwana maceral types determined necessarily fit the ICCP definitions.

► Petrology of a suite of southern African coals was examined. ► The coals have abundant inertinite, typically dominated by semifusinite. ► Vitrinite is absent in several coal samples. ► Not all Gondwana maceral types fit ICCP definitions.