EXTENDING MOBILE ROOF SUPPORT REACH FOR INCREASED COAL RESERVE RECOVERY

摘要

Ramaco Resources, LLC and J.H. Fletcher recently collaborated to solve a unique geologic situation and safely increase the reserve extraction potential of Ramaco's Rockhouse Eagle mine. The mine is located in Logan County, West Virginia and was developed as a room and pillar operation with expected normal operating heights between 60" and 108", (1.52M and 2.74M). As mining progressed into the reserve and while Fletcher mobile roof supports, (MRS), were being procured and built, actual mining conditions varied substantially from expectations. Due to the presence of a previously undetected third split of coal in the seam, cavity heights had increased up to 22', (6.71 M). The planned MRS' being built even with traditional extensions that attach to the top of the MRS roof support plate would be incapable of reaching the mine roof. A taller reach MRS was not a viable option due to the increased collapsed height as the entrance to the mine was limited to 50", (1.27M), clearance. This paper will explain the collaboration between MSHA, Ramaco and Fletcher to develop an MRS with a tilting, mid-chassis extension designed to be installed on the machine underground to increase the range of the MRS.