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Evaluating bump control techniques through convergence monitoring

Journal Article · · Coal Min. Process.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6206905

A coal mine bump is the violent failure of a pillar or pillars due to overstress. Retreat coal mining concentrates stresses on the pillars directly outby gob areas, and the situation becomes critical when mining a coalbed encased in rigid associated strata. Bump control techniques employed by the Olga Mine, McDowell County, WV, were evaluated through convergence monitoring in a Bureau of Mines study. Olga uses a novel pillar splitting mining method to extract 55-ft by 70-ft chain pillars, under 1,100 to 1,550 ft of overburden. Three rows of pillars are mined simultaneously to soften the pillar line and reduce strain energy storage capacity. Localized stress reduction (destressing) techniques, auger drilling and shot firing, induced approximately 0.1 in. of roof-to-floor convergence in ''high'' -stress pillars near the gob line. Auger drilling of a ''low''-stress pillar located between two barrier pillars produced no convergence effects.

Research Organization:
Bureau of Mines, Dept. of the Interior, Pittsburgh, PA
OSTI ID:
6206905
Journal Information:
Coal Min. Process.; (United States), Journal Name: Coal Min. Process.; (United States) Vol. 24:7; ISSN CMPRB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English