Economics of large-scale surface coal mining using simulation modes: Contour Stripping with Draglines Using Appalachia-Ohio Region Test Case (Final report, Volume 6)

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

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7214462· OSTI ID:7214462

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 contour 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 Appalachia (Ohio) 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 (United States); Bonner and Moore Associates, Inc., Houston, TX (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: US Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA)
• OSTI ID: 7214462
• Report Number(s): FE--1520-106
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
012000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Mining
015000 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Economic
Industrial
& Business Aspects
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
294001 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Coal
COAL MINES
COAL MINING
COST
ECONOMICS
ENERGY DEMAND
EQUIPMENT
FORECASTING
GEOLOGY
GREAT LAKES REGION
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MINES
MINING
MINING EQUIPMENT
NORTH AMERICA
OHIO
PLANNING
SIMULATION
SURFACE MINING
USA