Feasibility Study of Mining No.13 Coal Seam in Guxian Coalfield in China with Longwall Top Coal Caving

摘要

This paper analyzes key factors affecting the caveability of the top section of the No.13 coal seam in Guxian coalfield, China, in order to assess feasibility in mining the seam with longwall top coal caving (LTCC). A multi-factor weighting value reflecting the caveability of the top section of the seam (top coal) was determined. The higher the value, the more favorable the caveability of top coal. It was found that the value is 0.69 when the seam lies more than 300 m below ground surface, indicating moderate caveability; when the seam is less than 300 m deep, the value is 0.62, indicating poor to moderate caveability, but still feasible in using LTCC method provided certain measures are taken.