The Ilgin lignite field can be subdivided into the Haramikoy and Kurugol ar
eas which are separated by an area of basement and a fault. The Lignite-bea
ring sequence consists mainly of fluvial and lacustrine Neogene deposits. T
he Ilgin lignite, averaging 8 m (up to 25 m) thick, is blackish brown and d
ark brown in colour. The lignite contains abundant brown wood, plant remain
s and white gastropod shells. Samples have an average of 38.9% moisture on
an as-received basis and a mean of 3.9% total sulphur on an air-dried basis
. Geochemical analysis, using an ICP-MS, was undertaken. Thirteen Lignite c
ore samples from three boreholes drilled in the Kurugol area were ashed at
750 degrees C. The average trace element contents of the lignite show a hig
her concentration of U (average 43 ppm) when compared to the range for most
coals in the world, while the others (Ti, P, Sc, Be, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Ga, A
s, Rb, Sr, Zr, Nh, Mo, Cs, Ba, Y, Ta, W, Tl, Pb, Bi, Th, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm
, Eu, Gd, To, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb, Lu) agree with the global ranges. The Ilgin l
ignite is identified as of Middle Miocene (Middle Serravallian) age and occ
urs within lacustrine sediments deposited under subtropical climatic condit
ions. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.