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Optimum Chain Pillar Design at the Deepest Multi-Seam Longwall Workings in India

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Abstract

High-production methods like longwall mining with hydraulic powered supports are necessary to increase underground coal production in India. Longwall mining had a mixed success record for Indian geo-mining conditions. In this paper, an analysis is presented to optimally design an array of chain pillars in multi-seam longwall mining panels in the deepest coal mine in India. The study found that a chain pillar of 80-m width and 195-m length is necessary for long-term stability without any reinforcement. It was also observed that an optimum chain pillar can be designed by providing suitable side reinforcement (side bolting) which will reduce the chain pillar dimensions to 55-m width and 160-m length. Optimum design of chain pillars will reduce the coal locked up in these chain pillars by ~ 77%. This will also reduce the gestation period of longwall mining panel development. This paper also evaluates the maximum tensile subsidence strain induced at the surface and finds that the values are within the safe working limit of 3 mm/m. Thus, this paper finds direct application in the design of future multi-seam retreating longwall mining panels in Indian geo-mining conditions.

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Acknowledgements

This research was conducted at CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CSIR-CIMFR) while the second author was working there as a Scientist. The authors are thankful to the Director, CSIR-CIMFR, for his permission to publish this paper. Thanks are due to the management of the Moonidih coal mine and to the officials of M/s. Indu Projects Ltd. for providing necessary logistic help to complete this research.

Funding

The results of this paper are based on an industry-sponsored research project funded by M/s. Indu Projects Ltd. (Project No. MND/PO/9/2016/180).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CSIR-Central Institute of Mining & Fuel Research, Barwa Road, Dhanbad, Jharkhand, Pin-826015, India

    Nilabjendu Ghosh, Harshit Agrawal, Satyendra Kumar Singh & Gautam Banerjee

  2. Department of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Royal School of Mines, Imperial College, London, SW7 2AZ, UK

    Harshit Agrawal

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  1. Nilabjendu Ghosh
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  2. Harshit Agrawal
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  3. Satyendra Kumar Singh
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  4. Gautam Banerjee
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Correspondence to Nilabjendu Ghosh.

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Ghosh, N., Agrawal, H., Singh, S.K. et al. Optimum Chain Pillar Design at the Deepest Multi-Seam Longwall Workings in India. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration 37, 651–664 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-019-00138-z

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