Develop standard sequences of waste removal and coal mining that will…
a. Optimize placement of equipment for increased efficiency and productivity
b. Optimize recovery of coal
c. Minimize costs
Bench Heights and Lengths
1. Shallow Pit and 100m Deep
a. 12m to 24m height
b. 100m to 250m length
2. Deep Pit < 100m Deep
a. 48m height
b. 250m to 500m length
Seam Mining Sequence
1. Two Cases
a. Single Seam or Single Cluster of Seams
b. Multiple Seam or Multiple Clusters of Seams
Single Seam Mine Sequence
Single Cluster Mine Sequence
Multiple Seam Mine Sequence
Appropriate Mining Sequence
Q: If you have multiple seams on your benches, how do you decide if it is single cluster mining or multiple seam mining?
A: It is multiple seam mining if you can fit one equipment for each interburden.
Equipment versus Seam/Waste Thickness
1. Waste Fleet
a. Waste/IB Thk < 10m = What excavator? What method?
b. Waste/IB Thk 10m to 20m = What excavator? What method?
c. Waste/IB Thk 20m to 50m = What excavator? What method?
d. Waste/IB Thk > 50m = What excavator? What method?
2. Coal Fleet
a. Coal Thk < 5m = What excavator? What method?
b. Coal Thk 5m to 15m = What excavator? What method?
c. Coal Thk 15m to 30m = What excavator? What method?
d. Coal Thk > 30m = What excavator? What method?