longwall
Continuous extraction technique
Longwall is a coal mining method where a long face of coal is extracted in a single continuous operation.
A mechanical shearer moves back and forth along the wall while hydraulic roof supports advance behind it, allowing the mined-out area to collapse in a controlled manner: The mine switched to longwall extraction to increase productivity.
The technique is highly efficient but requires substantial capital investment.
Active mining surface
- shearerOne who clips wool
- conveyorMechanism that transports items
- panelDistinct flat section
- cuttingDividing via sharp edge
hydraulic · shield · chock · tailgate · headgate · main gate · continuous · mechanized
One who clips wool
- conveyorMechanism that transports items
- shieldHandheld defensive armor
- loaderOne who fills containers
- drumStruck percussion cylinder
cutter · plow · bolter · crusher · haulage · sprocket · gearbox · winch
Joined fabric edge
- coalCombustible sedimentary rock
- strataParallel geological layers
- overburdenLoad beyond capacity
- sedimentaryFormed from deposited material
fault · floor · roof · cleat · subsidence · caving · gob · anthracite
Distinct flat section
- gallerySpace for displaying artwork
- shaftNarrow vertical passage
- aditHorizontal mine opening
- airwayPassage for breath
crosscut · pillar · barrier · bleeder · entry · drift · pithead · mineshaft
Post-extraction mineral waste
- slagIndustrial metalworking byproduct
- slurrySemifluid mixture of solids
- gangueCommercially worthless ore rock
- muckFilthy wet dirt
spoil · fines · culm · refuse · subsidence · groundwater
Circulation of fresh air
- methaneSimplest alkane fuel
- outburstSudden emotional release
- dustFine settled particles
- explosionViolent burst of energy
monitoring · sensor · rescue · evacuation · inspection · regulation · suppression · bolting
coalface
Active mining surface
cutting · hydraulic · shield · chock · tailgate · headgate · main gate · continuous · mechanized · automation
shearer
One who clips wool
drum · cutter · plow · bolter · crusher · haulage · sprocket · gearbox · winch · cowl
seam
Joined fabric edge
- coalCombustible sedimentary rock
- strataParallel geological layers
- overburdenLoad beyond capacity
sedimentary · fault · floor · roof · cleat · subsidence · caving · gob · anthracite · bituminous
panel
Distinct flat section
airway · crosscut · pillar · barrier · bleeder · entry · drift · pithead · mineshaft · brattice
tailings
Post-extraction mineral waste
- slagIndustrial metalworking byproduct
- slurrySemifluid mixture of solids
- gangueCommercially worthless ore rock
muck · spoil · fines · culm · refuse · subsidence · groundwater
ventilation
Circulation of fresh air
explosion · monitoring · sensor · rescue · evacuation · inspection · regulation · suppression · bolting · mesh
- Mining Heritagecolliery, coal town, mining town, mining settlement, mining camp
- coal mining termscoal bed, coal face, split seam
long, linger, lengthy, prolong, alongside, lengthen, longitude, lengthwise