Single-entry Longwall study. Volume I: report. Final report, May 1982. [195 references; single vs multiple entry]
This study is an effort to determine legal and technical constraints on the introduction of single entry longwall systems to US coal mining. US mandatory standards governing underground mining are compared and contrasted with regulations of certain foreign countries, mainly continental Europe, relating to the employment of longwall mining. Particular attention is paid to the planning and development of entries, the mining of longwall panels and consequent retrieval operations. Sequential mining of adjacent longwall panels is considered. Particular legal requirements, which constrain or prohibit single entry longwall mining in the US, are identified, and certain variances or exemptions from the regulations are described. The costs of single entry systems and of currently employed multiple entry systems are compared. Under prevailing US conditions multiple entry longwall is preferable because of safety, marginal economic benefit and compliance with US laws and regulations. However, where physical conditions become hazardous for the multiple entry method, for instance, in greater depth or in rockburst prone ground, mandatory standards, which now constrain or prohibit single entry workings, are of doubtful benefit. European methods would then provide single entry operation with improved strata control.
- Research Organization:
- North American Mining Consultants, Inc., New York (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC01-77ET12558
- OSTI ID:
- 6861482
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/ET/12558-T1-Vol.1; ON: DE82019861
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of document are illegible
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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