4.7.85 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 165/7 
MEDIUM-TERM GUIDELINES FOR TECHNICAL COAL RESEARCH 
(1986-1990) 
(Article 55 of the ECSC Treaty) 
(85/C 165/07) 
On 22 May 1985, the Commission of the European Communities adopted new 'Medium-term 
guidelines for technical coal research (1986-1990)' under Article 55 of the ECSC Treaty (Doc. 
SEC(85)652 final). These documents give some important guidance for applicants for financial 
aid and may be obtained from the: 
Commission of the European Communities, 
Coal Directorate, Technology Division (XVII-B-3), 
Rue de la Loi, 200, 
B-1049 Bruxelles. 
Some items of particular importance follow in a very condensed form. 
All enterprises, research institutes and individual persons 
wishing to engage in research within the meaning of 
Article 55 of the ECSC Treaty may make application to 
the Commission of the European Communities for the 
grant of financial assistance. 
Applications should be submitted before 1 September each 
year in order to be effective in the following year. 
The procedure applicable to the lodging and 
consideration of applications, the terms and conditions 
of aid, and the obligations of the beneficiary as regards 
protection and dissemination of research results are laid 
down in a communication published in the Official 
Journal of the European Communities No C 159 of 
24 June 1982. 
The criteria for the selection of research projects are: 
— the objectives of the common energy policy and of 
the common general research policy (with particular 
reference to energy research), 
— the interest of the research for the Community, 
— the value of the research, i.e. its contribution to lower 
the costs and its effect on safety, the working 
environment and environmental protection, 
— the lead time between the completion of the research 
and its practical application, 
— the solution of technical and economic problems by 
the utilization of new equipment and methods; 
— the widespread application of scientific and technical 
results in the Community's coal mines, mechani­
zation, automation, the utilization of computers and 
microprocessors, etc., being of prime importance in 
this respect, 
— the perfecting of existing processes, techniques and 
technologies with a view to improving their per­
formance and reliability, as well as the study of new 
equipment and installations. 
The research fields selected are: 
A. MINING ENGINEERING 
A.I. ROADWAY DRIVAGE SYSTEMS 
1. Shotfiring and other excavation techniques 
2. Mechanical excavation techniques 
3. Modern technologies 
4. Roadway support 
5. Shaft sinking and large hole boring. A.II. MINE GASES, VENTILATION, CLIMATE 
1. Gas emission 
2. Ventilation 
3. Mine climate. 
A.IV. METHODS OF WORKING AND TECHNIQUES 
OF COAL-WINNING 
1. Coal winning techniques in particular 
conditions 
2. Coal face equipment 
3. Modern technologies 
4. Face ends. 
A.V. MINE INFRASTRUCTURES 
1. Conveying of products 
2. Material transport 
3. Man-riding 
4. Supply and disposal 
5. Modern technologies. 
A.VI. MODERN MANAGEMENT 
1. Reconnaissance of deposits 
2. Planning of operations 
3. Control of operations 
4. Mine management 
5. Communications. 
B. PRODUCT UPGRADING 
B.I. PREPARATION AND TRANSPORT OF 
PRODUCTS 
1. Coal preparation 
2. Transport and handling of coal 
3. Residues. 
B.II. COKING OF COAL 
1. Basic studies 
2. Conditioning of the coal blend before 
charging 
3. Development of coke ovens 
4. By-products and energy 
5. New techniques for briquetting and 
production of cokes from hard coal and 
lignite 
6. Problems of environmental protection. 
B.IV. COAL UPGRADING 
1. Physical-chemical bases 
2. Gasification and liquefaction 
3. New processes and products 
4. Environmental protection.