An Assessment of Thin Seam Mining System Technology

Details

• Personal Author:
  Caldon JH ; Clark JP
• Description:
  The objective of this study was to determine the state-of-the-art in underground, thin-seam mining systems, to identify new technology and procedures that would reduce the hazards in thin-seam mining, and to recommend areas for further research. The study was carried out in two phases, the first was devoted to a survey of authoritative literature. The practices adopted in various mining countries were analyzed and comparisons made to identify machines and methods with the potential for application in the United States. Published figures on U.S. bituminous coal reserves show the high proportion contained in thin seams and U.S. accident statistics demonstrate that the risk is greater in thin-seam operations. A comparison was made with the experiences of foreign operations. The second phase proceeded along two separate avenues to examine the distinctive problems associated with seam thicknesses above and below 30 inches. Current systems of mining appropriate to seams greater than 30 inches were elaborated and compared by a simulation exercise in terms of safety, production, and cost. For seams below 30 inches, less conventional systems, some presently disused, were studied and their potential evaluated; the research and development work necessary to make them viable are indicated. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Occupational Health Safety
• Series:
  Mining Publications
• Subseries:
  Open File Report
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Conference Publications ; Final Contract Report
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  TCRC - Twin Cities Research Center
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-379
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:10002177
• NTIS Accession Number:
  PB81-237455
• Citation:
  NTIS: PB/81-237455; :1-379
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1980
• Performing Organization:
  British Min. Consultants Ltd.
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  NTIS: PB/81-237455
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:b1c239fe422d72359cf174aebd35a14b241a8cfa4fd13a95251cf77e052bd43b0cf9ee7b2061affb5197dc6902147516fc8870bfadf7b707aa9b1cc6dddc6ab1
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/234373/cdc_234373_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 13.78 MB ]