A Preliminary Study of the Geology of the Elassona Lignite Deposits in Central Greece

This study presents lithologic and macroscopic data from the recently-discovered lignite deposits of Domenikon and Amourion near Elassona in central Greece. The data is complimented with coal quality (proximate analysis and sulfur) as well as petrographic and palynological data aimed at unraveling the depositional environment during peat deposition. Samples taken from 3 deep boreholes, EL-57, EL-65, and EL-79, reveal that the lignite in both deposits contains a high percentage of xylite, with clay being the most abundant inorganic component. The Amourion deposit consists of alternations of lignite beds and inorganic strata. Proximate analysis data shows that the lignite deposit of Domenikon is of better quality than the Amourion lignite. The overall quality of both lignites is generally better than that of most other Greek lignites. On the basis of coal quality and estimated reserves obtained through drilling, it appears that both lignite deposits are suitable for economic exploitation.