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Mining Publication: Deep Cover Pillar Recovery in the US

NOTE: This page is archived for historical purposes and is no longer being maintained or updated.

Original creation date: July 2009

Image of publication Deep Cover Pillar Recovery in the US

In the wake of the Crandall Canyon mine disaster, the U.S. Congress asked the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) to study the safety of deep cover pillar recovery operations in the US. The legislation defined "deep cover" to be greater than 1,500 ft, but NIOSH is also evaluating mines at depths greater than 1,000 ft when multiple seam interactions are encountered. By these definitions, there about 35 active mines that engage in deep cover pillar recovery, in the states of UT, CO, VA, WV, and KY. To date, NIOSH has documented ground conditions and ground control experience at nearly all of them. This paper provides an overview of current deep cover pillar recovery practice. Specific ground control issues that are discussed include: Pillar recovery sequences, Pillar and barrier pillar design, Coal bumps, Thick seam pillar extraction, and Multiple seam interactions.

Authors: C Mark

Conference Paper - July 2009

NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20035812

Proceedings of the 28th International Conference on Ground Control in Mining, July 28-30, 2009, Morgantown, West Virginia. Peng SS, Barczak T, Mark C, Tadolini S, Finfinger G, Heasley K, Luo Y, eds., Morgantown, WV: West Virginia University, 2009 Jul; :1-9


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