Abstract: Three coal-forming models have been proposed in this paper in terms of the environmental analysis. (1)The tidal fiat coal-forming model for the Benxi Formation is characterized by thin coalbeds and high sulfur contents. The sedimentary environments include lagoons and bays. (2) The shallow-water deltaic plain coal-forming model for the Taiyuan Formation and the lower part of the Shanxi Formation is characterized by the commercial coalbeds such as Coalbeds 8, 9 and 15. The sedimentary environments consist of five shallow-water deltas. (3)The littoral alluvial plain coalforming model for the upper part of the Shanxi Formation is characterized by no commercial coalbeds because of frequent overflowing, scouring and lateral migration of the channels.
More and more commercial coalbeds besides Coalbeds 8, 9 and 15 might be discovered in the vicinity of the East Hill-Shouyang area, Taiyuan. In every stage of exploration, the large-scale distributary channel sandstone bodies should be traced in order to locate the rich and thick coal zones because the commercial coalbeds tend to be inversely proportional to the thick sandstone bodies. Furthermore, in the light of coal types, textures and structures, and mineral impurity etc., three coal facies have been distinguished in this paper for Coalbeds 8, 9 and 15. the oxidized peat swamp facies. the standing water peat swamp facies and the open water peat swamp facies.