Analysis of underground extraction techniques for thick coal seams

Technical Report · Tue Oct 12 04:00:00 EDT 1976

OSTI ID:7314518

Bise, C J; Ramani, R V; Stefanko, R

The problems, technical and nontechnical, which are associated with the mining of thick coal seams are analyzed in this thesis. Mining methods currently practiced abroad are reviewed. A discussion of North American thick-seam mining, based on information gathered from mine-site visits and published literature, is also included. On the basis of an inventory of geologic and mining conditions in the West, four methods are recommended for potential application. An economic evaluation of the proposed methods, on a panel basis, has been conducted. A comparative analysis of the proposed methods with typical conventional and continuous sections is provided. The thesis has arrived at a number of conclusions. Although there are several thick-seam methods practiced abroad, these methods cannot be adapted, for the most part, without variations for U.S. conditions. This is due, mainly to the different economic and political climate of the U.S. However, thick-seam methods can be designed to be economically competitive with methods employed in seams of average thickness. Further, the recovery rates are also acceptable. New equipment, such as shields, should find increased acceptance whereas standard U.S. equipment, such as shuttle cars, will have limited applications.

• Research Organization: Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park (USA). Coal Research Section
• OSTI ID: 7314518
• Report Number(s): SR-111
• 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 INDUSTRY
COAL MINING
DIMENSIONS
ECONOMICS
EQUIPMENT
EVALUATION
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
INDUSTRY
MINING
MINING EQUIPMENT
NORTH AMERICA
RESOURCES
THICKNESS
UNDERGROUND MINING
USA