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Winning coal, a wall at a time

Journal Article · · Compressed Air; (United States)
OSTI ID:5395659
An underground coal mining technique known as longwall mining can recover 80% of the coal in a given reserve. Most underground mines in the United States recover only 50 to 60% of their coal reserves. Longwall mining also allows for higher output and higher productivity than does the room-and-pillar method that currently predominates in America. Longwall systems can produce 40 to 50 tons of coal per worker per shift; in a room-and-pillar operation, a continuous miner produces 25 to 30 tons per worker per shift. The advantages and disadvantages of longwall coal mining are discussed.
OSTI ID:
5395659
Journal Information:
Compressed Air; (United States), Journal Name: Compressed Air; (United States) Vol. 89:5; ISSN COAIB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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