High productive longwall mining of multiple gassy seams: best practice and recommendations

The article discusses the experience of reaching longwall's record coal production levels at the mine named after V. D. Yalevsky in the Kuznetsk Basin (Russia). The features of the geological and mining conditions at the mine being discussed. Several aspects and parameters were analyzed in the course of the study, including the technological solutions that made it possible to reach high production levels when mining multiple coal seams that demonstrate spontaneous combustion propensity, the methane emission control and ground control methods used at the mine, and changes in the output rate and methane emissions from the panel being mined. It is demonstrated that it is possible to increase the output rate for longwall up to 1.5 million tonnes per month when mining thick coal seams with methane contents that do not exceed 7 m(3)/t. With an increase in methane contents up to 10 m(3)/t, the output rate has to be slowed down due to the limited methane control capabilities. It is shown that preliminary degasification is required, with relevant options being proposed. The article also discusses the necessity of conducting development operations in a timely manner when coal output rates are high, and solutions are proposed as to how it can be achieved. In the course of the study, it was found out that longwall move operations at the Yalevsky mine could be improved. As a result, measures were developed, such as selecting the best location for the recovery room, and other recommendations were given to make longwall move operations more efficient. Numerical simulations were made to analyze the methane emission process at the longwall panel, the results of which made it possible to develop recommendations for adjusting the degasification parameters and changing the distance between ventilation crosscuts to improve methane control at the longwall panels. Also, recommendations were given to achieve the highest coal production levels possible.

Automated summary

This article discusses the experience of achieving record coal production in the Yalevsky mine in the Kuznetsk Basin. It analyzes the geological and mining conditions at the mine, as well as the technological solutions and control methods used to reach high production levels and manage methane emissions. The study highlights the importance of degasification and timely development operations, and offers recommendations for improving longwall move operations and methane control.