Geotectonic theory and the fourth prediction or potential evaluation of China's coalfields

During 1949-1997, six national coal resource assessments and predictions have been completed, in which four were organized by China National Administration of Coal Geology (CNACG) and Xian Branch of China Coal Research Institute. Three of which are briefly reviewed in this article. The three national coal resource assessments and predictions were explained by different geotectonic theories. The geosyncline-platform theory was applied to explain the assessment results during 1958-1959, and published on Coal Geology of China in 1961. The geomechanics created by Professor J.S.Lee (Li Siguang) was applied to explain the relation between the structural system and the coal accumulating regularities, as well as to make prediction of coal resources during 1973-1980, It was also published on Coal Geology of China in 1979 and 1980. The plate theory that had given significant influence until now was applied to coal resource potential assessment during 1992-1997. The advantages and the disadvantages of the three evaluation methods and results are reviewed. On this basis, the coal resource potential assessment initiated in June 2006 was discussed. We suggest that the assessment should be based on two kinds of plate tectonic systems before and after the Triassic. According to the investigations on the restoration of prototype coal-bearing basin, as well as the control and influence by the characteristics of tectonic units and the structural evolution of the coal accumulation/coalification, we propose that the strategies of the coal resource potential assessment should be guided by the plate theory.