Document Type
Conference Paper
Publication Date
2009
Abstract
Many longwall coordinators are examining the use of pre-driven recovery roadways. This method, if performed successfully can improve the overall efficiency and safety of moving longwall equipment from panel to panel. However, it is difficult to assess the feasibility of using predriven recovery unless extensive research is carried out or a consultant is used to analyse the particular situation. A number of previous case studies have been analysed to discover which parameters have the greatest influence on the success of pre-driven recovery. Floor strength, Coal Mine Roof Rating (CMRR), extraction depth, Roof Density Index (RDI), standing support and mining rate were the main parameters impacting on the successful implementation of pre-driven recovery roadways. These parameters have been incorporated into a program that was developed to assess the feasibility of using pre-driven recovery roadways. The Pre-driven Recovery Evaluation Program (PREP) is simple to operate and it will enable new longwall mining operations as well as current operations to quickly determine the suitability of the method to their site.
Publication Details
This conference paper was originally published as Wichlacz, D, Britten, T & Beamish, B, Development of a Pre-Driven Recovery Evaluation Program for Longwall Operations, in Aziz, N (ed), Coal 2009: Coal Operators' Conference, University of Wollongong & the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 2009, 23-36.