Longwall mining in Illinois

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:6107613

Conroy, P J; Curth, E A

The use of shields has been a major factor contributing to adequate roof control in Illinois. Short spans of exposed roof, quickly applied support, stability of structure, and full shelter for face crews are some of the significant advantages that led to the adoption of shields. The successful application of shields that were designed to sustain high yield loads resulting in a mean load density of 862.2 KN/m/sup 2/ (9 tons/ft/sup 2/) has encouraged the growth of longwall mining in the Illinois coal basin from one face to six in less than 4 years. Double-drum shearers of 1.5 x 10/sup 8/ kg/m (400 hp), using 995-volt power, with chainless haulage and high capacity face conveyors and stage loaders are standard face equipment. New coal mines are being developed for longwall mining with panel blocks as large as limiting factors allow. They are projected to have two active longwall faces and as many continuous miner units as are required for development and extraction.

• Research Organization: Dames and Moore, Park Ridge, IL (USA); Department of Energy, Pittsburgh, PA (USA). Pittsburgh Mining Technology Center
• OSTI ID: 6107613
• Report Number(s): CONF-810203-16; ON: DE82000062
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
012000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Mining
COAL MINES
CONVEYORS
EQUIPMENT
GREAT LAKES REGION
HAULAGE EQUIPMENT
ILLINOIS
LONGWALL MINING
MATERIALS HANDLING EQUIPMENT
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
MINES
MINING
MINING EQUIPMENT
NORTH AMERICA
ROOF BOLTS
SHIELDS
SUPPORTS
UNDERGROUND MINING
USA