Tuvinian Institute for Exploration of Natural Resources of Siberian Branch of RAS, Kyzyl, Russian Federation

Abstract

The paper describes composition, quality and properties of coals from the Ulug-Khem basin, the most important fuel and energy resource of the Tyva Republic, which includes the Erbek, the Kaa-Khem, the Mezhegeysk and the Elegest deposits. The unified schematic map of the Jurassic deposits of Tuva that was adopted by the Interdepartmental Stratigraphic Commission is discussed. The Jurassic deposits are identified, which consist of four series, i.e. the Elegest, the Erbek, the Saldam, and the Bomsk formations. The Ulug formation, which contains 70% of the Ulug-Khem Basin's reserves, is described in detail. Its thickness varies from 0.3 to 19.6 m. The Ulug formation consists of siltstones, carbonaceous siltstones and sometimes sandstones. The thickness of soil layers varies from 0.10 to 0.6 m