Cost comparison of gob hole and cross-measured borehole systems to control methane in gobs

Technical Report · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:6396394

Baker, E C; Garcia, F; Cervik, J

The capital investment and operating costs of two methane-control systems used during longwall mining operations are compared in this report. Costs are given for a surface gob hole drainage system and an underground cross-measure borehole drainage system to control methane gas in gobs in four coal mining areas--central Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia, southern Virginia, and northern Alabama. Present-worth analysis is used to determine the more cost-effective alternative in each location. The alternatives have equal lives and provide the same service based on a minimum rate of return of 15 pct. In central Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia, the gob hole system is more cost effective than the cross-measure system, by 10 and 18 pct, respectively. In southern Virginia and northern Alabama, the cross-measure system is more cost effective, by 29 and 38 pct, respectively. Costs for other locations must be developed on a case-by-case basis.

• Research Organization: Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh, PA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6396394
• Report Number(s): RI-9151
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
012033* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Underground Mining-- Mine Environment-- (1987-)
ALKANES
BOREHOLES
CAVITIES
COAL DEPOSITS
COAL SEAMS
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
DEGASSING
DIRECTIONAL DRILLING
DRILLING
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
HYDROCARBONS
METHANE
MINERAL RESOURCES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
REMOVAL
RESOURCES