Longwall Laurels

摘要

As one of the most advanced single-manufacturer longwall mining systems in the world, the complete Joy longwall system at Arch Coal's Mingo Logan Coal Co.'s Mountain Laurel complex, West Virginia, was critical to the mine in achieving its goal of doubling production in a single year. Begun as a greenfield site in September 2005 and with more than 50 million short t (45 million t) in coal reserves, Mountain Laurel's longwall system went into production in October 2007. Currently, the mine has more than 330 employees and operates four development sections and the longwall section in the 7 ft (2.1 m) Alma seam.