kivihiileen

Kivihiili is the Estonian word for coal, specifically referring to the geological substance formed from ancient plant matter. Estonia has a significant deposit of oil shale, also known as kuksiniit, which is a type of combustible rock that is distinct from coal. While both are fossil fuels, oil shale is a sedimentary rock containing a high proportion of organic matter (kerogen) that can be retorted into shale oil. True coal, like the black and brown coal found in many other parts of the world, is not a primary natural resource in Estonia. The country's energy production has historically relied heavily on its indigenous oil shale deposits, which are mined and processed to generate electricity and heat. The extraction and use of oil shale have environmental implications, including air pollution and land disturbance. Efforts have been made to mitigate these impacts and explore alternative energy sources. The term kivihiili, when used in an Estonian context, can sometimes be loosely applied to combustible geological materials, but it is important to distinguish it from the coal deposits found elsewhere.