Economics of large-scale surface coal mining using simulation modes. Final report, volume 4. Area stripping with draglines using Fort Union region test case

Technical Report · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1977

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7109152· OSTI ID:7109152

Large-scale surface coal mining will play a key role in meeting the future energy needs of the U.S., especially in affecting the costs of coal conversion and advanced combustion processes being developed by ERDA. Fluor Utah, Inc., with Bonner and Moore Associates, Inc. as subcontractor, was contracted to study the costs and problems of large-scale surface coal mining. This project resulted in a series of computer models for use by the industry in mine planning and analysis, and by government in estimating future energy costs. Simulation models representative of area stripping with dragline mining techniques which were developed, documented, and tested are described. Two types of models were developed: detailed micromodels, which provide detailed information on mining systems and equipment to assist in mine design and equipment selection; and broad macromodels, which provide a first-order evaluation of deposits and new ventures for an entire mining complex. The Fort Union Strippable Coal Resource Region was used to test the models. A hypothetical mining situation representative of typical mining problems and conditions encountered in the region was selected. The models were used to estimate mining costs for the hypothetical baseline situation and for sensitivity analysis varying both mining parameters and financial assumptions. The results of the test case indicate potential coal prices for a range of geologic and economic assumptions.

• Research Organization: Fluor Utah, Inc., San Mateo, CA (USA); Bonner and Moore Associates, Inc., Houston, TX (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7109152
• Report Number(s): FE-1520-104
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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COAL MINES
COAL MINING
COST
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