Intensive underground mining technologies: Challenges and prospects for the coal mines in Russia

Abstract

The article presents the key features of underground coal mining that influence the development of mining technologies and mining equipment design. It covers the most important challenges faced by underground coal mining companies and discusses growth areas in mining technology that are aligned with the paradigm of sustainable development. Using the example of underground coal mining operations, it illustrates such concepts as the intelligent mine and the invisible mine, discussing how they can be brought to life. It also shows how underground coal mining companies can improve their productivity, OSH management, and environmental indicators to make their products competitive. As mining operations are becoming more intensive and the average depth of mining is growing, which is accompanied by an increase in both methane emissions and risks associated with rock mechanics processes, it is becoming vital to accurately predict how the rock mass will behave and, by applying stress-strain analysis, to identify hazardous zones and their boundaries. The article discusses several mine layouts and how their parameters are adjusted to ensure intensive mining. Among the factors that hinder growth in coal production, it highlights the underutilisation of high-performance mining equipment. It also contains a list of key principles aimed at fostering production growth in the underground coal mining sector and improving its competitiveness.