Coal Mining-Methods

Mining Methods
 Coal is mined by two main methods -
surface or ‘opencast’ mining and
underground mining.
 The choice of method is largely
determined by the geology of the coal
deposit; the majority of the world's
coal reserves are recoverable by
underground mining.
 The method used is determined by the
depth of coal deposit and the
overburden over it. In other words
ratio of coal and overburden, decides
the method.
 Underground Mining is to reach the
deposit by inclined or vertical entries
and without removing the overburden
rock.
– mined out by various methods.
Mining Methods..
 UNDER GROUND MINING
– Bord & Pillar (conventional hand section)
– Bord & Pillar (Semi-mechanised)
– Blasting Gallery method for thick seams
– Long wall Mining
 OPEN CAST MINING
– Shovel and Dumper Combination
– Draglines
– In-pit Crusher-Conveyor systems
– Surface Miner
Mining Methods..
Shaft Mine Incline Mine

Incline

Excavator

Adit Mine Opencast Mine

PICTURE SHOWING AN INCLINE ENTRY
INTO A SEAM
ENTRY THROUGH A SHAFT
A TYPICAL SHAFT MINE LAYOUT
BORD & PILLAR LAYOUT
DRILLING OPERATION
IN THE COAL FACE
MANUAL COAL FILLING
LOAD HAUL DUMPER IN BLASTING GALLERY
METHOD
MECHANIZED DRIVAGE
MACHINES
SHEARER WORKING AT
LONGWALL FACE
POWERED ROOF SUPPORT
AT LONGWALL FACE
TYPICAL OPEN CAST MINE
BLASTING IN
OPEN CAST BENCHES
ROPE SHOVEL AND DUMPER
HYDRAULIC SHOVEL AND DUMPER
OPENCAST MINE WITH DRAGLINE
OPENCAST MINE
WITH DRAGLINE
OPENCAST WITH IN-PIT CRUSHER
CONVEYOR TECHNOLOGY
OPENCAST WITH SURFACE MINER
ROLE OF SCCL
AND POLICY ISSUES….
 COAL MINING IN INDIA
 Commercial coal mining in India started
in 1774 by M/s Sumner and Heatly of
East India Company in the Raniganj
Coalfield along the Western bank of
river Damodar.
 On introduction of steam locomotives in
1853 production rose to an annual
average of 1 million tonne.
COAL MINING IN INDIA
 National Coal Development Corporation
(NCDC) was set up in 1956. It was the first
major step towards planned development of
Indian Coal Industry.
 Singareni Collieries Company Ltd. (SCCL) is in
operation since 1889.
 Coking coal mines were nationalized in 1971-
72.
 Non-coking coal mines were nationalized in
1973.
NUMBER OF COAL MINES
IN INDIA (2003-04)
 CIL 475
 SCCL 67
 TISCO 07
 IISCO 03
 DVC 01
 BSMDC 01
 J&K Minerals 03
 Bengal Emta 01
 Jindal Strips 01
 Total 559

Source: MoC Website

 ABOUT SCCL…
 Godavari Valley Coalfields stretch over an
area of 350 Sq. Kms.

 Mines are located in Adilabad,

Karimnagar, Warangal and Khammam
Districts of Andhra Pradesh.
ANDHRA PRADESH
COAL BELTS OF GODAVARI VALLEY COAL FIELD
ORIGINS…

 1870: Dr. William King discovered

coal in Singareni village
(Khammam Dt.)
 1889: Hyderabad (Deccan) co.
incorporated in England
and stocks were traded
in London Stock Exchange.
Coal mining started.
ORIGINS…
 1920: Coal mining operations transferred to
the new company and renamed as
‘The Singareni Collieries Company
Limited’.
 1945: Nizam of Hyderabad took over, thus
Singareni became first Government
managed coal company.
 1960: Govt. of India participated with 49%
equity.
 RICH HERITAGE
Mile Stones….

 1948: Machine Mining ( Joy loader

and shuttle cars).
 1951: Electric coal drills.
 1953: Electric cap lamps
 1954: Flameproof electric equipment
Mile Stones….

 1975: Opencast mining

 1979: Side Discharge Loaders
 1981: Load Haul Dumpers and Road
Headers
 1983: Longwall mining
 Mile Stones….
 1986: Walking Dragline
 1989: French Blasting Gallery method
 1994: In-pit crushing and conveying
 2002: Man-riding system in conventional
mines
 2003: Phasing out Manual Coal filling
launched.
OWNERSHIP…
 SCCL is the oldest PSU in the country in coal
sector.
 Only Coal Company in Joint Sector with
equity participation by A.P. State
Government, Government of India
 51% Equity is held by GoAP
 49% Equity is held by GOI
 The Company is governed by a Plan-wise
Tripartite Agreement between the GoAP, GoI
and SCCL
SCCL’s Mission….

 Excel in competitive environment.

 Optimise utilisation of resources.
 Conservation of natural resource of coal.
 Customer delight.
 Being model employer.
 Emphasis on protection of environment.
Thank you