Geologists and mine planners plot these lines to map out the hydration characteristics of a coal deposit across a large area. Tracking moisture variations helps predict the heating value of the coal and flags potential handling or processing issues in the wash plant.
Heard on the job
The isohume map shows a sharp increase in moisture toward the eastern boundary of the panel.
Related terms
Lithogeochemistry
The study of the chemical composition of rocks to understand their origin and locate ore deposits.
Coalface
The advancing boundary of a coal seam that is actively being mined.
Washout
A channel in a coal seam or orebody where the original deposit was eroded and replaced by barren sediment.