Investigation of Problems and Benefits of Underground Multiple Seam Coal Mining

Details

• Personal Author:
  Dunn MF ; Singh MM
• Description:
  It is estimated that over 156 billion tons of coal in the United States are amenable to multiple-seam mining. However, currently most operations mine only a single seam, and in the past indiscriminate practices have sterilized large amounts of coal in contiguous seams. In the interests of conservation, it is imperative that procedures be followed that enhance resource recovery. The total life-cycle costs of mining are site specific because of the wide variations in land acquisition costs, capital expenditures, resource recovery, labor productivity, and geological conditions. However, under similar circumstances the costs of single- and multiple-seam mining are within 5 percent, using the best available technology. Improvements in present methods could lower costs of multiple-seam mining further, making it more competitive. Ground control (entailing roof support, bumps, and subsidence) is the most important technical problem encountered in multiple-seam mining, mainly caused by remnant pillars. However, the nature and thickness of partings and overburden, as well as the type of floor, roof, and coal play a significant role. Ventilation control to prevent air leakage and gas accumulation, haulage difficulties because of floor undulations and roof falls, and fear of water inundation from an abandoned upper seam are other problems to be considered. Spontaneous heating may be experienced in some western coals. Changes in regulations that streamline permitting procedures and encourage multiple-seam mining need to be introduced. Union attitudes that permit better coordination between seams should be fostered. A research program addressing some of these problems is presented. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Coal Coal Mining Mining Occupational Health Safety Ventilation
• Keywords:
  Coal Mining ERDA/012000 Ground Subsidence Mine Haulage Research Programs Rock Bursts Roofs Spontaneous Combustion Strata Control Support Pillars Supports Underground Mining

  More +
• Series:
  Mining Publications
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Conference Publications ; Final Contract Report
• Place as Subject:
  District of Columbia ; Illinois ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 5 ; Pennsylvania
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  PRC - Pittsburgh Research Center
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-292
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:10003697
• NTIS Accession Number:
  DE82-002807
• Citation:
  Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Energy, Mining Research and Development, Contract C-14242P, 1981 Oct; :1-292
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1982
• Performing Organization:
  Engineers International, Inc.
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Energy, Mining Research and Development, Contract C-14242P
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:7ca54c94fc182eb7109ebf76b8a74f0a587f2c2e5f5478eb7a6be60e780d259ea920e95743915906235246f535863402f5b42feb5a3f0c4e189d988ffb3b902e
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/219505/cdc_219505_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 10.76 MB ]