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Mining Publication: Evaluation of Pillar Recovery in Southern West Virginia
Keywords: Mobile roof supports Pillars Retreat mining West Virginia
This page is archived for historical purposes and is no longer being maintained or updated.
Original creation date: August 2002
Authors: C Mark, G Karabin, JC Zelanko, MT Hoch, FE Chase
Conference Paper - August 2002
Download PDF Document (0.63 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20023134
In: Peng SS, Mark C, Khair AW, Heasley KA, eds. Proceedings of the 21st International Conference on Ground Control in Mining. Morgantown, WV: West Virginia University, 2002 Aug; : 81-89
Pillar recovery continues to be a significant ground control hazard. During the past decade, 10 miners were killed during pillar extraction operations in southern West Virginia. Studies conducted during the past decade have identified a number of "risk factors" that can be used to evaluate pillar extraction plans: Cut sequence, final stump, timber or mobile roof supports, roof bolting, intersection span, depth of cover, roof quality, age of workings, For each of these factors, rock mechanics science suggests which alternative would be expected to be more risky. For example, numerical models were used to evaluate different cut sequences, and indicated that less roof convergence occurred with the outside lift method than with the Christmas tree in the particular environment simulated. For many of the risk factors, accident statistics confirm the science. One finding was that currently almost 70% of the retreat coal in southern WV is being mined with MRS. In contrast, timber supports were used in 70% of the past decade's pillaring fatalities. This paper discusses each of the risk factors in turn, presents the relevant accident statistics, and shows how the risk factors can be combined to estimate the overall hazard. It also addresses the use of pillar design to minimize the risk of global stability hazards including squeezes, massive collapses, and bumps.
Image of publication Evaluation of Pillar Recovery in Southern West VirginiaConference Paper - August 2002
Download PDF Document (0.63 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20023134
In: Peng SS, Mark C, Khair AW, Heasley KA, eds. Proceedings of the 21st International Conference on Ground Control in Mining. Morgantown, WV: West Virginia University, 2002 Aug; : 81-89
See Also
Effects of Weak Bands on Pillar Stability in Stone Mines: Field Observations and Numerical Model Assessment
Empirical Guidelines for Longwall Ground Control Design
Multiple Seam Mining Interactions: Case Histories from the Harris No. 1 Mine
Multiple-Seam Mining Interactions: Case Histories from the Harris No. 1 Mine
An Overview of Geomechanics Safety Research on Mobile Roof Supports
Pillar Design and Strategies for Retreat Mining
Pillar Stability Issues Based on a Survey of Pillar Performance in Underground Limestone Mines
Proceedings: New Technology for Ground Control in Retreat Mining
Rotary Drilling Techniques Used in the Beckley Coalbed
Sizing of Final Stumps for Safer Pillar Extraction
Page last reviewed: November 19, 2015
Page last updated: November 19, 2015
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
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