Economic and technical results mining a 4 m thick coal seam in Carbonar colliery

摘要

The private company Carbonar S.A. is mining in a coal basin in which the named "Capa Ancha" ― upper to 4 m thick ― is the most important seam. From 1998 several researching contracts to Carbonar company ― Oviedo University (Mining and Exploration Department) were awarded. In this context, extensive research studies to design the new mine, based on the direct experience, were done by a multiple work team. Then, the full mechanization based on a double drum shearer, face conveyor and hydraulic shield support for mining the whole coal seam height in one phase by the longwall method was adopted as the solution. In the paper, the successful results, both technical and economic, achieved nowadays are analyzed.