High productive longwall mining of multiple gassy seams

coal production levels at the mine named after V. D. Yalevsky in
the Kuznetsk Basin (Russia). The features of the geological and
mining conditions at the mine being discussed. Several aspects and
parameters were analyzed in the course of the study, including the
technological solutions that made it possible to reach high
production levels when mining multiple coal seams that
demonstrate spontaneous combustion propensity, the methane
emission control and ground control methods used at the mine, and
changes in the output rate and methane emissions from the panel
being mined. It is demonstrated that it is possible to increase the
output rate for longwall up to 1.5 million tonnes per month when
mining thick coal seams with methane contents that do not exceed 7
m3
/t. With an increase in methane contents up to 10 m3
/t, the output
rate has to be slowed down due to the limited methane control
capabilities. It is shown that preliminary degasification is required,
with relevant options being proposed. The article also discusses the
necessity of conducting development operations in a timely manner
when coal output rates are high, and solutions are proposed as to
how it can be achieved. In the course of the study, it was found out
that longwall move operations at the Yalevsky mine could be
improved. As a result, measures were developed, such as selecting
the best location for the recovery room, and other recommendations
were given to make longwall move operations more efficient.
Numerical simulations were made to analyze the methane emission
process at the longwall panel, the results of which made it possible
to develop recommendations for adjusting the degasification
parameters and changing the distance between ventilation crosscuts
to improve methane control at the longwall panels. Also,
recommendations were given to achieve the highest coal production
levels possible.