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    1-Open Cast Mining Methods

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    jimcorbett099
    There are two main mining methods: surface mining and underground mining. Surface mining involves removing rock and soil above the coal seam, exposing the coal, and then removing it. It is used for shallow coal seams. Underground mining uses vertical shafts and tunnels to access deeper coal seams. Surface mining recovers around 90% of coal while underground mining only recovers about 50% due to access restrictions.

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    1-Open Cast Mining Methods

    Uploaded by

    jimcorbett099
    19 views20 pages
    There are two main mining methods: surface mining and underground mining. Surface mining involves removing rock and soil above the coal seam, exposing the coal, and then removing it. It is used for shallow coal seams. Underground mining uses vertical shafts and tunnels to access deeper coal seams. Surface mining recovers around 90% of coal while underground mining only recovers about 50% due to access restrictions.

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    1656064330000_1-Open cast Mining Methods

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    There are two main mining methods: surface mining and underground mining. Surface mining involves removing rock and soil above the coal seam, exposing the coal, and then removing it. It is used for shallow coal seams. Underground mining uses vertical shafts and tunnels to access deeper coal seams. Surface mining recovers around 90% of coal while underground mining only recovers about 50% due to access restrictions.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pptx, pdf, or txt
    19 views20 pages

    1-Open Cast Mining Methods

    Uploaded by

    jimcorbett099
    There are two main mining methods: surface mining and underground mining. Surface mining involves removing rock and soil above the coal seam, exposing the coal, and then removing it. It is used for shallow coal seams. Underground mining uses vertical shafts and tunnels to access deeper coal seams. Surface mining recovers around 90% of coal while underground mining only recovers about 50% due to access restrictions.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pptx, pdf, or txt
    of 20

    Mining Methods

    There are the two basic mining methods usually


    practiced world over to exploit mineral resources:
    surface mining and underground mining.
    The amount of coal recovered and the impact
    upon the property are both determined by which
    of these mining methods is employed.
    RUSSIAN MAKE 10/70 Dragline
    BEML (DOZER)
    MOTOR GRADER
    BEML 1000 -1 WITH DUMPER
    SURFACE MINER (WIRTGEN)
    WHEEL DOZER G30D
    Surface Mining
    In surface mining, the rock and soil above the
    coal (the overburden) is drilled and blasted.
    Then, the broken overburden is stripped away,
    exposing the top of the coal seam.
    Broken rock and debris are then cleaned away
    and a loader breaks the coal from the seam and
    loads it onto trucks.
    After the coal is removed, the overburden is
    replaced, and the land is reclaimed.
    All of these steps can be seen in the illustration in
    the subsequent slides.
    Surface mining is best used for coal seams that
    are close to the surface.
    The thicker the seam, the greater the thickness of
    overburden that can be economically removed. As a
    general rule, about ten feet of overburden can be
    removed for each foot of good coal in the seam.
    This means that for a five-foot-thick coal seam, about 50
    feet of overburden can be economically removed.
    If the overburden is thicker, then underground mining
    must be used to recover the coal.
    One of the greatest disadvantages of surface mining is
    that it completely removes the landscape.
    A lot of effort and money must then be expended to
    reclaim the land to a useful condition.
    Underground Mining
    When the coal seam is far below the surface, underground
    mining must be used. Using this method, a vertical shaft is
    drilled down to the coal and workers and equipment are
    lowered down the shaft to work in the seam.
    The coal is removed by driving tunnels with a machine
    known as a continuous miner.
    A continuous miner is a vehicle with a large cutting drum
    mounted on a movable boom on the front of the machine.
    The continuous miner is driven up against the coal seam,
    and cutting bits on the rotating drum rip the coal from the
    seam.
    The boom is moved up and down, and the drum cuts coal
    from the entire mining height of the seam.
    A continuous miner is shown in the next slide.
    Underground mining
    Underground mining works best in thick coal seams.
    When the coal seam is less than about 30 inches in
    thickness, it becomes very difficult for people and
    equipment to operate in the mine.
    Most underground mines are less than 1000 feet
    below the surface.
    When the coal is deeper, the expenses of sinking a
    vertical shaft and providing ventilation within the mine
    become unattractive.
    One of the greatest disadvantages for underground
    mining is that the abandoned mines collapse over
    time. This can lead to mine subsidence and damaged
    buildings, roads, water wells, and utility services at the
    surface.
    Recovery Rates: % of recovery
    • Surface mining and underground mining
    recover different amounts of coal.
    • Because surface mining exposes the seam for
    easy access, about 90% of the coal can be
    recovered.
    • The more restricted conditions of
    underground mining, combined with a need to
    leave coal in the mine to support the roof,
    only allows about 50% of the coal to be
    recovered.

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