Demonstration of longwall mining in thin seams

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

OSTI ID:6163900

Curth, E A; Gill, J A

The Government and Leeco concluded a cost-sharing agreement in 1976 to demonstrate longwall mining of a thin coalbed, 1 m or less, in a mine near Hyden, Ky. A premining investigation laid the groundwork for mine design and equipment specifications. Four-legged shields, a face conveyor, a stage loader and an in-web shearer were selected to operate on a 183 m face. Longwall mining began in 1979 and initially was slowed by low mining height and equipment problems. A rock mechanics program provides early warning capability and criteria for future mine design. Monitoring of surface effects is included.

• Research Organization: Department of Energy, Pittsburgh, PA (USA). Pittsburgh Mining Technology Center; Leeco, Inc., London, KY (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6163900
• Report Number(s): CONF-810203-15; ON: DE82000130
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
012000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Mining
COAL MINES
CONVEYORS
DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS
DESIGN
EQUIPMENT
HAULAGE EQUIPMENT
KENTUCKY
LONGWALL MINING
MATERIALS HANDLING EQUIPMENT
MECHANICS
MINES
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
ROCK MECHANICS
SHIELDS
SOUTHEAST REGION
UNDERGROUND MINING
USA