§ Mr. Croninasked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of coal reserves, which are recoverable by current mining methods; and how long they would last at present rates of consumption.
§ Mr. EadieEstimated recoverable coal reserves using present technology are of the order of 45,000 million tons. At the present rate of consumption they would last for over 300 years. Included in this estimate are operating reserves of about 6,000 million tons. These are reserves which can be worked either from existing mines or which have been identified as suitable for working from potential new mines. At the present rate of consumption they would last for nearly 50 years.