A fossil fuel is something, such as coal or a gas, that now makes up the remains of once-living organisms. Those organisms formed in the geological past. (Illinois Coal Association, 2013) Coal is an important resource that we use in our lives. Coal is something we use all the time. When burned, coal produces energy, which then powers what we use, want and, in some cases, need. (Illinois Coal Association, 2013)Coal is generally a dark-colored rock. When it burns, it produces heat. The chemical composition of coal is made up of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. It also contains very small quantities of other minerals such as aluminum and zirconium. Coal is combustible, which means it can catch fire and burn very easily. (Tribal Energy and Environmental Information—CLEARINGHOUSE, 2013) There are two different ways coal can be mined. One way to extract coal is underground mining, also sometimes known as deep mining. Most are unaware that we have made very significant progress in recent years regarding the computerization and mechanization of operations. Technological advances have had a dramatic effect on the efficiency of deep mining. When coal seams, or “coal seams,” are 200 feet or more below the surface, that is when deep mining is considered “necessary.” Most mines in the United States are 1,000 feet tall or less. There are some that go as deep as 2,000 feet. Miners are transported to these mines from the surface. With elevators. The cars these miners are in are cars that sit on railroad tracks, traveling underground on a sloped entrance. (Illinois Coal Association, 2013) Deep mining can be very problematic at times. It is of great importance to keep deep mines highly v...... center of paper ......inition/energy-source.html• clean energy ideas. (2013, November 20). The cost of geothermal energy. Retrieved from http://www.clean-energy-ideas.com/geothermal/geothermal-energy/the-cost-of-geothermal-energy• Conserving the future of energy. (2013, November 21). Disadvantages of geothermal energy. Retrieved from http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/Disadvantages_GeothermalEnergy.php• conserve the energy of the future. (2013, November 21). Advantages of geothermal energy. Retrieved from http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/Advantages_GeothermalEnergy.php• http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/151-ways-to-save-energy.php• http:// www.conserve-energy-future.com/GeothermalEnergyCost.php • Geothermal weather and the future energy source. (2013, November 22). Political effects of geothermal energy. Retrieved from http://geothermaltime.weebly.com/political-affects-of-geothermal-energy.html