Feasibility of an integrated coal mining and waste disposal system

摘要

The depletion of thicker and more attractive coalseams in central Appalachia will direct attention towards theextraction of thin coal seams (less than 71 cm). This paperreports an ongoing research work on different conceptualmining and waste disposal systems that can be used to minethinner seams. The research project aims to address five subtasks: conceptualization of mine and face operation;characterization of waste material; handling and transportationof coal and waste material; technique to be used for back filling;and feasibility of the overall system. This paper assessesproduction potential, relative merits and economics of variousapplicable systems. It includes an attribute rating table that maybe used to quantify technical, economic, and environmentalissues related to different backfilling methods.