Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
usually contain mine car tracks that are used to haul the mined coal to the slope or
shaft, deliver men and equipment to the working faces, and to provide a conduit for
ventilating the mine.
Geomorphology
The scientific study of landforms and the processes that shape them.
Longwall mining
A form of underground coal mining where a longwall
(typically about
250
-
400m long) of coal is mined in a single slice (typically 1
-
2m thick). The
longwall
“
panel
”
(the block of coal that is being mined) is typically 3
-
4kmlong
and 250
-
400m wide.
Overburden
In mining, overburden is the material that lies above the area to be mined. The cast
overburden then becomes mine spoil.
Overburden ratio
The ratio of the amount of soil and rock overburden excavated to the coal recovered. A
break-even stripping ratio is reached when the value of the mined coal is the same as
the cost to remove the overburden.
Oxidation
The interaction between oxygen molecules and other substances, including coal.
Panel
The term is used in longwall mining where a panel is a rectangular block, or pillar, of
coal, the size of which is determined by the surrounding workings which is ultimately
completely mined.
Retreat mining
The systematic removal of all or parts of the pillars left following completion of a
room-and-pillar mining operation. Retreat mining begins at the rear of the mine and
progresses toward the mine entry. As the coal in the remaining pillars is extracted,
pillar support is reduced, and the roof of the mine collapses. About half again of what
was originally left in the mine can be recovered by this very hazardous mining
technique. Following retreat mining, the mined area is abandoned.
Slopes and shafts
A slope is an inclined excavation extending from the ground surface to the coal seam,
whereas a shaft is a vertical excavation from the ground surface to the coal seam.
Spontaneous
combustion (of coal)
Self-heating and burning of coal in contact with air.
References
American Coal Council, 2008. http://www.clean-coal.info/pubs/coal_basics.pdf (accessed December 15, 2008).
American Electric Power, Inc., 2008. http://www.aep.com/newsroom/newsreleases/?id=517 (accessed December
15, 2008).
Blazek, C., 2001. The influence of moisture on the spontaneous combustion of coal. Benetech, Inc., http://www.
benetechusa.com/pdf/article/SpontaneousCombOfPRBCoal.pdf (accessed October 15, 2008).
Bruhn, R.W., Michalski, S.R., Winschel, L.J., Yeasted, J.G., 1983. Engineering analysis and evaluation of the
Centralia Mine Fire. Contract Report No. J5130057, GAI Consultants, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA for the U.S.
Department of the Interior, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Eastern Technical Center,
Pittsburgh, PA., vols. 1 and 2.
Buch, J.W., Corgan, J.A., 1956. Anthracite: mineral facts and problems. U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S.
Bureau of Mines, Bulletin 556, United States Government Printing Office, Washington, DC, 1259 p.
Chakrabarty, G., 2009. Coalfires: an environmental hazard. Msc Geo-informatics, BIT Mesra, Ranchi, India, 21 p.
Coalfire.org. http://www.coalfire.org./image/pdf/b_dmt_bam.pdf (accessed May 30, 2010).
DeKok, D., 1986. Unseen danger: a tragedy of people, government, and the Centralia Mine Fire. University of
Pennsylvania Press: Philadelphia, 299 p.
Energy Information Administration, Coal production in the United States. U.S. Department of Energy, 2008. http://
www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/coal/page/coal_production_review.pdf (accessed February 13, 2008).
G.E. Dolbear & Associates, Inc., 2009. The science and technology of coal. Diamond Bar, CA, http://www.
coalscience.com/rank.htm (accessed January 8, 2009).
Hansen, M.C., 1990, Coal. How It Is Found and Used. An Earth Resources Book. Enslow Publishers, Inc.,
Hillside, NJ, USA, 64 p.
