Feasibility of longwall mining in the Spurgeon Coal Field, Pike and Warrick Counties, Indiana
Thesis/Dissertation
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OSTI ID:5801627
The Spurgeon Coal Field, an area of nine square miles, is located in southern Pike and northern Warrick Counties, Indiana. In this region, overburden thickness increases above 120 feet (37 m), and strip mining based on current equipment and highwall procedures is uneconomical. Hence longwall mining, a procedure involving high-productivity and -safety aspects is under consideration. For longwall mining to succeed, several specific geological and mining conditions must occur. An essentially uniform thickness plus continuity of the coal (Indiana Coal V) was determined through examination of drilling data and interpretation of cross sections, isopach maps, and structural contour maps prepared. No coal discontinuities (channels, wash outs, faults) were indicated for the Spurgeon Field. Continuous and regular caving of the immediate roof after mining was also necessary for a successful longwall operation. Based on drill core strength, the caveability classification of the immediate roof qualified as fairly good/good, easy caving. These findings were favorable for adopting the longwall method. An aspect of concern is the shallow overburden (average 150 feet) (46 m) of the field as other longwall mines in the US have overburdens in excess of 800 ft (244 m) and experience is based on these conditions.
- OSTI ID:
- 5801627
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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