Montana leads the pack in proven U.S. coal reserves

With a total of 120 billion tons of demonstrated coal reserves and 75 billion tons of proven coal reserves, the "Big Sky State" far exceeds other coal-producing states, making it a top target for investors looking to tap into Montana's rich natural resources.

"Demonstrated" refers to the amount of known coal reserves that could be profitably extracted and brought to market. "Proven" or "recoverable" refers to the

portion of the demonstrated reserve base that can reasonably be expected to be mined and marketed using available mining techniques.

There are over 30 coal-producing states around the nation, with varying levels of proven coal reserves. Other top coal states are Wyoming, Illinois, West Virginia, Kentucky and Pennsylvania, Ohio and Colorado. Wyoming is the top coal-producing state, but with 75 billion mineable tons, Montana's vast proven coal reserves outpace Wyoming by almost 50%.

Of the state's proven coal reserves, approximately 36 billion tons are recoverable by underground mining and the

remaining 39 billion tons of proven coal reserves can be extracted using surface-mining technologies. As of 2008, Montana was home to six mines – five surface, and one underground.

And as domestic and global demand for energy keeps rising, Montana's proven coal reserves are gaining attention as an important source of fuel for current and future energy demands. According to the World Coal Institute, the use of coal will surge 60% over the next 20 years as coal continues to serve as an accessible, well-established and economically viable energy source.