Sublevel caving by pillar extraction. Final report

Technical Report · Sun May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6414779· OSTI ID:6414779

Bowen, R. J.

The design and feasibility analysis of the Sublevel Caving by Pillar Extraction mining method are described. It is a conceptual mining method devised toward the objective of improving mining techniques for extraction of deep coal occurring in seams of thicknesses greater than 12 feet. The concept envisions that advance openings of the mine will be driven along the bottom of the thick seam with top coal being extracted incrementally during retreat mining, or in ''falls'', shot down from the roof. Loading of fallen top coal will be accomplished with the loading machine operator remaining in a protected position. The conclusions of the study are that the Sublevel Caving by Pillar Extraction mining method is suitable for test application in a working coal mine in the immediate future: that it offers improvement in resouce recovery, competitive productivity, and improvement in health and safety for mine personnel over previous thick seam underground methods. Analysis of the economic performance indicates a price of $13.22 per ton to sustain 15% return on investment for 20 years.

• Research Organization: Bowen (R.J.), Salt Lake City, UT (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6414779
• Report Number(s): FE-9115-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
012000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Mining
CAVITIES
COAL DEPOSITS
COAL MINING
COAL SEAMS
COMMINUTION
CONTINUOUS MINERS
CUTTER LOADERS
DIMENSIONS
DRILLING EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
EXPLOSIVE FRACTURING
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FRACTURING
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
MINING
MINING EQUIPMENT
PRODUCTIVITY
RESOURCES
SAFETY
THICKNESS