Selected geologic factors affecting mining of the Pittsburgh coalbed. Report of investigations, 1975

Technical Report · Sat Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1975

OSTI ID:7331510

McCulloch, C M; Diamond, W P; Bench, B M; Deul, M

As part of the Bureau of Mines methane control program, the Pittsburgh coalbed was studied in Washington and Green Counties, Pa., and in Marion and Monongalia Counties, W. Va., where this coalbed is now being mined at its greatest depth. The coalbed thickness appeared to be structurally controlled; the bed was generally thinner near the axes of anticlines and thicker near the axes of synclines. The overburden isopach shows a similar relationship. Most of the clay veins in coal occur in the synclinal troughs, generally under sandstone roof. Measurement and analysis of surface joint orientations provide a method for predicting the cleat orientations of the coalbed, but linears measured from infrared photographs and photoindex sheets helped only to determine regional trends. The results of these investigations provide a geologic framework for rational planning for underground mine development to use the best available technology to cope with methane emissions, coalbed discontinuities, and related ground support problems. (GRA)

• Research Organization: Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh, Pa. (USA). Pittsburgh Mining and Safety Research Center
• OSTI ID: 7331510
• Report Number(s): PB-249851; BM-RI-8093
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
012000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Mining
016000 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Health & Safety
ALKANES
CENTRAL REGION
CLAYS
COAL DEPOSITS
COAL MINING
CONTROL
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
DIMENSIONS
FLUIDS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGY
HYDROCARBONS
METHANE
MINERALS
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PENNSYLVANIA
RESOURCES
SAFETY
STRATIGRAPHY
THICKNESS
UNDERGROUND MINING
USA
WEST VIRGINIA