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The original sentence:

The bulk and weight of coal required in the majority of manufacturing industries is large in comparison with the bulk and weight of other raw materials.

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The singular "is" is used because the author intended to use "the bulk and the weight" as a single item, not as two.

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  • thanks. Is this style typical when writing about "The A and B of an uncountable noun"?
    – Charlie
    May 24, 2019 at 6:29
  • I am not sure. It depends on the sentence, and on the intentions of the author. It is not bad, but it can create some confusion to some listeners.
    – virolino
    May 24, 2019 at 6:31
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    @Charlie Note that are would also have been fine—because the author would have then considered bulk and weight as separate items. (We assume that the author is using the syntax that conforms to their intention.)
    – Jason Bassford
    May 24, 2019 at 12:55

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