Some basic requirements for defining coal targets include a search of the literature, knowledge of regional geology and coal environments, and an understanding of coal petrography with respect to marketing. Although literature on west Pacific coal resources is sparse, a search could provide better reserve estimates which might contribute to increased interest in coal exploration. The coal-forming environments of the west Pacific are associated with Tertiary and Holocene active island arcs. Different grades of coal are formed in different environments. Landsat imagery has been used in the selection of coal targets, and has been especially useful in areas where access is difficult. Petrologically, the coals found in the Pacific are suitable for power generation, coke produc ion, and for conversion to liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons. Potential exists for both opencut and underground mining operations.