Geologic disturbances in Illinois coal seams

Technical Report · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:6843313

Nelson, W J

Mining problems result when coal seams are broken, distorted, or intruded upon by geologic features such as: channels, (Pleistocene or Pennsylvanian riverbeds) filled with rock or unconsolidated deposits that cut into coal seams, weaken roof strata, and store groundwater. Near some channels, coal may be thick, low in sulfur and high in ash content--and splits, (overbank or floodwater deposits in peat swamps) that are layers of noncoal materials divide coal seams horizontally; they either make it impossible to mine the seam as one unit, or increase the product's waste rock and ash content. rolls, (small, infilled channels) or lenses of roof rock that protrude into the top of coal seams, producing steep dips or abruptly thin seams as well as poor roof conditions. Clay dikes, (vertical, clayfilled cracks in peat) that intrude from overlying rock into coal seams, increase the product's waste rock and ash content, and cause unstable roof conditions. igneous dikes, (Magma-filled fractures in coal seams) intrude steep walls of rock into coal seams; they may be surrounded by coal coked from the heat of the magma. coal balls, (mineralized peat)--so hard and dense compared to the surrounding coal that massive deposits damage mining equipment and sometimes halt operations.

• Research Organization: Illinois Inst. of Natural Resources, Champaign (USA). State Geological Survey Div.
• OSTI ID: 6843313
• Report Number(s): PB-84-156330
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
011000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
012000 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Mining
COAL DEPOSITS
COAL MINING
COAL SEAMS
COMMINUTION
DAMAGE
DEFORMATION
DIKES
EQUIPMENT
FEDERAL REGION V
FRACTURING
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGY
ILLINOIS
MINERAL RESOURCES
MINING
MINING EQUIPMENT
NORTH AMERICA
RESOURCES
ROCKS
ROOFS
USA