Lignite

Lignite Lignite is geologically very young (upwards of around 40,000 years). It is brown and can be soft and fibrous, containing discernible plant material. It also contains large amounts of moisture (around 70%) and so has a low energy content: around 8 to 10 megajoules per kilogram. This coal is mined extensively in the Latrobe Valley south east of Melbourne, Australia. As the coal develops it loses its fibrous character and darkens in colour.