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MEDIUM-TERM GUIDELINES FOR TECHNICAL COAL RESEARCH

( 1981 TO 1985 )

( UNDER ARTICLE 55 ( 2 ) ( C ) OF THE ECSC TREATY

PREAMBLE

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 .

SUCH APPLICATIONS MUST RELATE TO FIELDS OF RESEARCH SPECIFIED IN THE MEDIUM-TERM GUIDELINES FOR TECHNICAL COAL RESEARCH REPRODUCED IN THIS COMMUNICATION . UPON RECEIPT , APPLICATIONS WILL UNDERGO SELECTION BY THE COMMISSION , WHICH WILL BEAR IN MIND THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT FINANCIAL EXPENDITURE IS CONCENTRATED UPON RESEARCH PROJECTS WHICH BEST SATISFY THE CRITERIA OF THESE MEDIUM-TERM GUIDELINES .

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 BY THE COMMISSION ( 1 ) .

ARTICLE 55 OF THE TREATY CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE EUROPEAN COAL AND STEEL COMMUNITY SPECIFIES THAT THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES SHALL PROMOTE TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC RESEARCH RELATING TO THE PRODUCTION AND INCREASED USE OF COAL AND TO OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY IN THE COAL INDUSTRY .

HAVING , IN CONFORMITY WITH THE TREATY , LAID THE FOUNDATIONS OF COLLABORATION BETWEEN RESEARCH WORKERS AND COALMINING UNDERTAKINGS IN THE COMMUNITY COUNTRIES BY PROVIDING THE NECESSARY CONTACTS , THE HIGH AUTHORITY OF THE ECSC GRANTED , FROM 1958 ONWARDS , FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH THE OBJECT OF GIVING A NEW STIMULUS TO COAL RESEARCH .

THE HIGH AUTHORITY OF THE ECSC AND , SUBSEQUENTLY , THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES HAVE FROM TIME TO TIME LAID DOWN GUIDELINES FOR COMMUNITY COAL RESEARCH IN ORDER TO CONCENTRATE EFFORTS ON PROJECTS OF INTEREST TO THE COMMUNITY . FOR EXAMPLE :

- TECHNICAL RESEARCH POLICY AND CENTRES OF GRAVITY FOR COAL RESEARCH , PUBLISHED IN 1963 ( 2 ) ,

- FIRST MEDIUM-TERM COAL RESEARCH AID PROGRAMME ( 1967/1968/1969 ) ,

- SECOND MEDIUM-TERM COAL RESEARCH AID PROGRAMME ( 1970 TO 1974 ) ( 3 ) ,

- THIRD MEDIUM-TERM COAL RESEARCH AID PROGRAMME ( 1975 TO 1980 ) ( 4 ) .

THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE GRANTED WITHIN THE TERMS OF THESE PROGRAMMES FOR TECHNICAL COAL RESEARCH BETWEEN 1958 AND 1980 IS ABOUT 160 MILLION EUROPEAN UNITS OF ACCOUNT , WHICH REPRESENTS ABOUT 60 % OF THE TOTAL COST OF THE RESEARCH PROJECTS IN QUESTION .

THE RESULTS OF COMMUNITY RESEARCH IN THE FIELD OF BOTH MINING ENGINEERING AND COAL UPGRADING ENABLED THE COAL INDUSTRY TO ACHIEVE , DURING THE DIFFICULT PERIOD OF THE 1960S AND 1970S , MAJOR TECHNICAL PROGRESS THAT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MADE WITHOUT COMBINED EFFORTS . THE RESULTS IN THE AREAS OF PRODUCTIVITY AND IMPROVED BENEFICIATION OF PRODUCTS SHOW , MOREOVER , THE VALUE OF WORK CARRIED OUT IN COLLABORATION WITH A SHARING OF TASKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPECIALIZATIONS OF THE COMMUNITY'S RESEARCH INSTITUTES . THESE RESULTS OF COMMUNITY RESEARCH ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL CONCERNED IN THE COMMUNITY BY MEANS OF FINAL REPORTS ON THE PROJECTS , PUBLICATION IN THE SPECIALIST TECHNICAL PRESS , SYMPOSIA ORGANIZED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES , AND TECHNICAL FILMS .

THE RESEARCH EFFORT MADE BY THE COMMUNITY UP TO THE PRESENT TIME NEEDS NOT ONLY TO BE CONTINUED BUT TO BE REINFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH GUIDELINES THAT TAKE ACCOUNT OF BOTH THE CURRENT ENERGY SITUATION AND THE COMMUNITY'S COAL POLICY . RESEARCH PROJECTS RECEIVING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE COMMISSION SHOULD MEET WELL-DEFINED CRITERIA .

THE ENERGY SITUATION IN THE COMMUNITY AND IN THE WORLD AT LARGE CAN ONLY DETERIORATE AS A RESULT OF THE CONSTANTLY INCREASING PRICE OF HYDROCARBONS AND THE REAL POSSIBILITY OF A SHORTAGE OF OIL PRODUCTS . THIS WILL RESULT IN A DRAMATIC AND INEVITABLE DEVELOPMENT OF DIFFICULT ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES FOR THE INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES .

FACED WITH THESE FACTS , THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN INVITED BY THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL TO TAKE MEASURES THAT WILL HAVE AN EFFECT IN THE ENERGY SECTOR AND , IN PARTICULAR , TO ADOPT A POLICY OF SUBSTITUTION FOR OIL . THE COUNCIL CONSIDERS THAT ONE POSSIBLE SOLUTION WOULD BE TO ACCENTUATE AND ACCELERATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDIGENOUS ENERGY RESOURCES INCLUDING COAL WHOSE RESERVES ARE LARGE AND WHICH OCCUPIES THE FIRST PLACE IN THE COMMUNITY .

A MARKED INCREASE IN COAL CONSUMPTION WILL BE NECESSARY IN ORDER TO COVER ENERGY REQUIREMENTS THAT WILL CONTINUE TO GROW IN THE MEDIUM - AND LONG TERM ; NUMEROUS NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES HAVE UNDERLINED THE NEED TO TURN INCREASINGLY TO COAL IN ORDER TO MEET ENERGY DEMAND .

THE POSITION OF COMMUNITY COAL MUST BE STRONGLY REINFORCED IN THE NEW ENERGY SCENARIO OF THE 1980S SINCE , BECAUSE OF ITS RESERVES , SUCH COAL REMAINS A REAL FACTOR IN THE SECURITY OF SUPPLY FOR BOTH STEEL AND ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION , AS WELL AS FOR INDUSTRY IN GENERAL AND THE CONVERSION OF COAL INTO LIQUID AND GASEOUS HYDROCARBONS . COMMUNITY COAL SHOULD THUS ONCE AGAIN TAKE ITS PLACE IN THE ENERGY MARKET AND ATTEMPT TO COMPETE WITH OTHER ENERGY SOURCES .

THE PURSUIT OF THE JOINT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS THAT ARE BEING MADE IN THE COMMUNITY'S COALPRODUCING COUNTRIES PROVIDES ONE MEANS OF REGAINING AND STRENGTHENING THE COMPETITIVE POSITION OF COMMUNITY COAL , AND HENCE OF MAINTAINING , OR EVEN INCREASING COAL PRODUCTION , THROUGH THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE RESULTS OF MINING OPERATIONS AND THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE MAXIMUM UPGRADING OF THE PRODUCTS AND BY-PRODUCTS ; THESE EFFORTS SHOULD ALSO BE AIMED AT MAKING THE JOB OF MINING MORE ATTRACTIVE . IT IS FOR THESE REASONS THAT THE COMMISSION HAS DECIDED TO LAY DOWN NEW MEDIUM-TERM GUIDELINES FOR COAL RESEARCH COVERING THE PERIOD 1981 TO 1985 .

THE NEW MEDIUM-TERM GUIDELINES WERE WORKED OUT IN COLLABORATION WITH THE COAL RESEARCH COMMITTEE , A COMMITTEE SET UP BY THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES TO PROVIDE THE LATTER WITH INFORMED ADVICE ON RESEARCH MATTERS , AND COMPOSED OF REPRESENTATIVES OF COAL PRODUCERS , COAL RESEARCH INSTITUTES , UNIVERSITIES AND TRADE UNIONS IN THE COMMUNITY .

THE AIMS OF THE NEW GUIDELINES ARE :

- TO COORDINATE AND HARMONIZE THE RESEARCH WORK ,

- TO ENSURE THAT EFFORTS ARE CONCENTRATED IN AREAS WHERE CONCRETE RESULTS ARE MOST LIKELY TO BE ACHIEVED ,

- TO FACILITATE THE SELECTION OF PROJECTS AND THE DETERMINATION OF THOSE THAT ARE MOST SUITABLE FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT BY THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES .

IT IS CLEAR THAT THE OBJECTIVES OF COAL RESEARCH ARE THE SAME AS THOSE OF THE COAL INDUSTRY , NAMELY :

- TO IMPROVE OUTPUT AND PRODUCTIVITY , TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE WIDE VARIETY OF COAL DEPOSITS ,

- TO IMPROVE THE UPGRADING AND UTILIZATION OF THE PRODUCTS AND BY-PRODUCTS OF COAL MINING ,

- TO IMPROVE THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT , SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION .

THE CRITERIA TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION IN THE CHOICE OF FIELDS OF INTEREST , WHICH ARE ALSO THOSE ADOPTED FOR THE SELECTION OF RESEARCH PROJECTS FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT BY THE ECSC , ARE AS FOLLOWS :

IN GENERAL :

- 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 . THE IMPROVEMENT IN PROFITABILITY THAT THE MINING INDUSTRY CAN OBTAIN FROM IT AND ITS EFFECT ON SAFETY , THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WITHOUT , HOWEVER , NEGLECTING FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH ,

- THE LEAD TIME BETWEEN THE COMPLETION OF THE RESEARCH AND ITS PRACTICAL APPLICATION .

IN PARTICULAR :

- THE WIDESPREAD APPLICATION OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL RESULTS IN THE COMMUNITY'S COAL MINES , MECHANIZATION , 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 PERFORMANCE AND RELIABILITY , AS WELL AS THE STUDY OF NEW EQUIPMENT AND INSTALLATIONS ,

- THE REALIZATION OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS COVERING AN ENTIRE GROUP OF OPERATIONS IN UNDERGROUND WORKINGS AND IN COAL PREPARATION AND PROCESSING PLANTS WITHOUT , HOWEVER , NEGLECTING THE INTEREST OF PARTICULAR AND ORIGINAL PROJECTS THAT CAN MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO THE STATE OF THE ART .

THE MEDIUM-TERM GUIDELINES , WHICH ARE BASED ON THE OBJECTIVES AND CRITERIA DEFINED ABOVE , ARE GIVEN BELOW IN DETAIL FOR THE TWO MAJOR SECTORS OF THE COAL INDUSTRY :

I . MINING ENGINEERING

II . PRODUCT BENEFICIATION

REASONS FOR THE CHOICE OF FIELDS OF INTEREST ARE GIVEN FOR EACH SECTOR .

IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS IN THE FIELD OF LIQUEFACTION AND GASIFICATION OF SOLID FUELS WHICH RECEIVE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE COMMISSION UNDER THE TERMS OF COUNCIL REGULATION ( EEC ) NO 1302/78 ARE SEPARATE FROM THE TECHNICAL COAL RESEARCH FOR WHICH THE COMMISSION PROVIDES FINANCIAL AID IN PURSUANCE OF ARTICLE 55 OF THE ECSC TREATY .

A . MINING ENGINEERING

A.I . DEVELOPMENT WORK IN COAL AND STONE

THE MAINTENANCE OR EXPANSION OF THE COMMUNITY'S COAL PRODUCTION THAT IS NECESSARY FOR THE LONG-TERM SECURITY OF ENERGY SUPPLY REQUIRES THE OPENING-UP OF NEW MINES AND THE EXTENSION OF EXISTING ONES . THE CONSEQUENT DEMANDS THAT THIS WILL PLACE ON TECHNIQUES FOR DEVELOPMENT WORK IN STONE WILL NECESSITATE APPROPRIATE AND EFFICIENT SYSTEMS FOR CONVENTIONAL AND MECHANIZED DRIVAGES .

THE SAME IS TRUE FOR DEVELOPMENT WORK IN SEAMS , WHICH MUST KEEP PACE WITH INCREASED EXTRACTION RATES AT THE COAL FACE .

IN BOTH AREAS , INCREASING EMPHASIS MUST BE PLACED ON THE INTEGRATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL OPERATIONS INVOLVED IN DEVELOPMENT WORK .

1 . SHATFIRING

- CONVENTIONAL DRILLING METHODS ( ROTARY , IMPACT , BY COMPRESSED AIR , HYDRAULICS , ELECTRICITY ) ,

- DRILLING TOOLS ,

- NEW DRILLING TECHNIQUES ( HIGH-PRESSURE WATER , MICROWAVES , ETC . ) ,

- DRILLING VEHICLES ,

- NEW EXPLOSIVES ,

- MECHANIZATION OF SUPPORTS ,

- LOADING AND REMOVAL OF RUBBLE .

2 . BOOM RIPPERS

- ROCK CUTTING METHODS ,

- CUTTING HEADS AND TOOLS ,

- PROFILE CUTTING ,

- CONTROL AND AUTOMATION ,

- MECHANIZATION OF SUPPORTS ,

- OUTBYE SERVICES ,

- AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT ,

- MECHANIZATION OF FACE OPENINGS .

3 . FULL-FACE HEADING MACHINES

- CUTTING TECHNIQUES ( FULL CROSS-SECTION IN ONE OR MORE STEPS , PILOT ROADWAY DRIVAGE , ENLARGEMENT , ETC . ) ,

- CUTTING HEADS AND TOOLS ,

- MACHINES FOR SHORT TUNNELS ,

- CONTROL AND AUTOMATION ,

- MECHANIZATION OF SUPPORTS ,

- OUTBYE SERVICES ,

- AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT .

4 . ORGANIZATION IN ROADWAY DRIVAGES

- INTEGRATION OF THE VARIOUS OPERATIONS ,

- AVAILABILITY OF MACHINES AND EQUIPMENT .

5 . NEW TECHNIQUES FOR BREAKING ROCK

- DRILLING TOOLS WITH HIGHLY INTENSIVE ACTION ,

- WATER JETS ,

- THERMAL AND ELECTRICAL METHODS , MICROWAVES .

6 . SHAFT SINKING

- ENLARGEMENT OF PILOT HOLES ,

- FULL-FACE BORING ,

- NEW SUPPORT METHODS ,

- ROCK CUTTING AND LOADING ,

- FREEZING TECHNIQUES FOR GREAT DEPTHS .

7 . LARGE HOLE BORING

- PILOT HOLES ,

- MEASUREMENT OF BOREHOLES ,

- RESCUE BORINGS .

A.II . METHANE STUDIES , VENTILATION CONTROL AND MINE CLIMATE

THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF COAL MINING WILL INEVITABLY LEAD TO OPERATIONS AT GREATER DEPTH , INVOLVING INCREASING DIFFICULTIES AS A RESULT OF METHANE RELEASE AND ROCK TEMPERATURE ( MINE CLIMATE ) . THE SOLUTION OF THESE PROBLEMS IS OF DECISIVE IMPORTANCE BOTH FOR MINE SAFETY AND THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND FOR THE TROUBLE-FREE CONDUCT OF OPERATIONS .

1 . METHANE STUDIES

- PREDICTION OF DE-GASSING ,

- CONTROL OF DE-GASSING ,

- METHANE DRAINAGE ,

- MONITORING OF METHANE MEASUREMENT AND DRAINAGE ,

- UPGRADING OF MINE GAS .

2 . VENTILATION CONTROL

- CALCULATION , MONITORING AND STABILIZATION OF MAIN VENTILATION ,

- CALCULATION AND MONITORING OF SPECIAL VENTILATION ,

- MONITORING OF THE QUANTITY OF CO , CO2 , ETC . IN THE ATMOSPHERE AND SPECIAL VENTILATION ,

- NEW VENTILATION TECHNIQUES .

3 . MINE CLIMATE

- BASIC EXPERIMENTS ,

- TEMPERATURE AND PREDICTION ,

- AIR COOLING ( CENTRAL/LOCAL COOLING INSTALLATIONS ) ,

- MONITORING OF COOLING INSTALLATIONS .

A.III . ROCK PRESSURE AND SUPPORTS

HERE , TOO , IT IS NECESSARY TO DEAL WITH INCREASING DIFFICULTIES FROM HIGHER ROCK PRESSURE AS A CONSEQUENCE OF GREATER DEPTH AND THE OCCURRENCE OF DYNAMIC PHENOMENA . A THOROUGH KNOWLEDGE OF THESE PHENOMENA SHOULD MAKE POSSIBLE IMPROVED PLANNING OF COAL-MINING OPERATIONS , WHILE ADAPTED OR NEW ROOF SUPPORT SYSTEMS IN FACES AND ROADWAYS WILL IMPROVE THE STABILITY OF MINE WORKINGS . THE FAVOURABLE EFFECTS THAT THIS WILL HAVE ON MINE SAFETY AND THE CONDUCT OF OPERATIONS ARE OBVIOUS .

1 . ROCK PRESSURE

- BASIC ROCK MECHANICS ,

- INVESTIGATION AND PREDICTION OF DYNAMIC PHENOMENA ,

- PLANNING DATA FOR LAYOUT AND SUPPORTS .

2 . SUPPORTS

- SUPPORTS AND SUPPORT METHODS IN ROADWAYS AND COAL-WINNING OPERATIONS ( FACES , ROADWAY DRIVAGES ) AND IN SPECIAL AREAS ( FACE/ROADWAY INTERSECTIONS , ENLARGEMENT , ETC . ) ,

- LOCAL OR REMOTE CONTROL OF SUPPORTS , AUTOMATION ,

- AUTOMATED PROVISION OF PERMANENT SUPPORT ,

- SPECIAL SITUATIONS ( THICK OR SLOPING SEAMS , ETC . ) ,

- MONITORING OF ROCK PRESSURE AND SUPPORTS ,

- MAINTENANCE OF WORKINGS .

A.IV . METHODS OF WORKING AND TECHNIQUES OF COALGETTING

CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN THIS FIELD IN THE PAST , AS IS SHOWN TO SOME EXTENT BY VERY HIGH FACE OUTPUTS AND GOOD PERFORMANCE DATA FOR COAL-WINNING . IN THE INTERESTS OF IMPROVED UTILIZATION OF THE EXISTING DEPOSITS IT WILL BE PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT IN THE FUTURE TO MAKE THE BEST TECHNOLOGY THAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED USABLE IN SEAMS WITH POORER GEOLOGICAL CONDITIONS AND TO FIND NEW TECHNIQUES FOR DEPOSITS HAVING SPECIAL CONDITIONS ( STEEP SEAMS , RECOVERY OF PILLARS , ETC . ) . MOREOVER , EXISTING WORK RELATING TO INCREASED RATIONALIZATION AND AUTOMATION OF FACES MUST , OF COURSE , BE CONTINUED .

1 . BETTER UTILIZATION OF DEPOSITS

- COAL-WINNING IN STEEP SEAMS ,

- COAL-WINNING IN EXTREME CONDITIONS ( THIN AND THICK SEAMS ) ,

- SURMOUNTING GEOLOGICAL DISTURBANCES ,

- RECOVERY OF PILLARS ,

- ADAPTATION TO OTHER CONDITIONS OF TECHNIQUES DEVELOPED FOR HIGH OUTPUT FACES ,

- SPECIAL TECHNIQUES FOR DIFFICULT OR UNUSUAL CONDITIONS : HYDROMECHANICAL WINNING AND TRANSPORT , EQUIPMENT FOR STEEP SEAMS AND THIN OR VERY THICK SEAMS .

2 . COAL-WINNING TECHNIQUES IN HIGH OUTPUT FACES

- WINNING MACHINES ,

- FACE CONVEYERS ,

- FACE SUPPORTS ,

- STOWING TECHNIQUES ,

- CONTROL , REMOTE MONITORING , AUTOMATION ,

- INTEGRATED FACE EQUIPMENT .

3 . FACE ENDS

- TECHNIQUES FOR ADVANCE AND IN-LINE HEADINGS ,

- RIPPING TECHNIQUES ,

- INTEGRATION OF VARIOUS TECHNIQUES AND EQUIPMENT AT FACE-ROADWAY INTERSECTIONS , INTEGRATION WITH FACE AND ROADWAY EQUIPMENT ,

- MECHANIZATION , MONITORING , CONTROL AND AUTOMATION .

A.V . OUTBYE OPERATIONS UNDERGROUND

THIS FIELD HAS TAKEN ON INCREASED IMPORTANCE SINCE IT ABSORBS A LARGE PROPORTION OF SHIFTS WORKED UNDERGROUND IN SUCH A WAY THAT A CORRESPONDING PART OF THE INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY AT THE FACE IS LOST AGAIN . HEAVIER DEMANDS MUST BE MADE ON CONVEYING AND TRANSPORT SYSTEMS AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE INCREASED CONCENTRATION OF OPERATIONS , AND RAPID AND SAFE MANRIDING WILL LEAD TO BOTH AN IMPROVED WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND A GAIN IN WORKING TIME . FINALLY , AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE EVER-INCREASING USE OF POWERED INSTALLATIONS , THE PROBLEMS OF MAINTENANCE AND ENERGY SAVING IN UNDERGROUND OPERATIONS SHOULD BE STUDIED FURTHER .

1 . CONVEYING OF PRODUCTS

- TECHNIQUES : CONTINUOUS AND SHUTTLE SYSTEMS , DIESEL VEHICLES , HYDRAULIC AND PNEUMATIC TRANSPORT , ETC . ,

- CONTROL , MONITORING , AUTOMATION .

2 . MATERIAL TRANSPORT

- TECHNIQUES : RAIL SYSTEMS , SUSPENDED RAILWAYS , TRACKLESS TRANSPORT , TRANSPORT OF DUSTY MATERIAL AND LIQUIDS ,

- TRANSPORT WITHOUT TRANSFER POINTS ,

- TRANSFER POINTS .

3 . MAN-RIDING

- TECHNIQUES : PASSENGER TRAINS , CONVEYER BELTS , RAILWAYS , TRACKLESS TRANSPORT , CHAIR LIFTS , ETC .

4 . SHAFT CONVEYING

- INCREASING SHAFT CAPACITY ,

- OVERCOMING PROBLEMS OF GREAT DEPTHS ,

- VERTICAL HYDRAULIC AND PNEUMATIC CONVEYING .

5 . MAINTENANCE

- SERVICING AND REPAIR OF EQUIPMENT .

6 . ENERGY SAVING

- ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ,

- HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS ,

- PNEUMATIC SYSTEMS .

A.VI . MODERN MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES

THE PROVISION OF A MODERN MINE WITH MACHINERY TIES UP SO MUCH CAPITAL THAT LENGTHY BREAKDOWNS OR DISCONTINUATIONS OF WORK MUST BE AVOIDED AS FAR AS POSSIBLE . THIS REQUIRES RELIABLE RECONNAISSANCE OF THE DEPOSIT , RAPID AND RELIABLE TRANSMISSION OF INFORMATION AND DATA , AND QUICK DECISIONS ON THE BASIS OF APPROPRIATE DATA EVALUATION AS WELL AS , FINALLY , THE INCORPORATION OF ALL PREVIOUS INFORMATION IN FORWARD PLANNING . FOR THESE PURPOSES , AND IN THE INTERESTS OF MINE SAFETY , USE MUST BE MADE OF ALL MODERN MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING TECHNIQUES .

1 . RECONNAISSANCE OF DEPOSITS

- INTERPRETATION OF GEOLOGICAL DATA ,

- SURFACE BORINGS , PRECISE DETERMINATION OF THE TYPE , AND PETROLOGICAL AND PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ROCK STRATA ,

- GEOPHYSICAL PROCESSES ,

- AUTOMATED DATA EVALUATION ,

- UNDERGROUND BORINGS ( GEOPHYSICAL PROCESSES ) : RECONNAISSANCE OVER SHORT DISTANCES , INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS .

2 . REMOTE CONTROL , MONITORING AND AUTOMATION

- DATA COLLECTION , TRANSMITTERS ,

- DATA TRANSMISSION AND UNDERGROUND RADIO ,

- REMOTE CONTROL AND MONITORING , CENTRAL CONTROL POINTS ,

- AUTOMATION , PROCESS COMPUTERS ,

- MINE AND SAFETY MAINTENANCE , AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING ,

- APPLICATION OF MICROLOGIC TO MINING PROBLEMS .

3 . PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT OF OPERATIONS

- ORGANIZATIONAL STUDIES ( PLANNING METHODS , MACHINE UTILIZATION , MAINTENANCE PROGRAMMES ) ,

- RELIABILITY OF SYSTEMS ,

- OPTIMIZATION OF LAYOUT ,

- OPTIMIZATION OF OPERATIONS ,

- SHORT - AND LONG-TERM PLANNING .

B . PRODUCT BENEFICIATION

B.I . MECHANICAL COAL PREPARATION AND COAL TRANSPORT

RESEARCH IN THE FIELD OF MECHANICAL COAL PREPARATION IS NEEDED TO ENABLE THE COMMUNITY'S MINING INDUSTRY TO MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF ITS PRODUCTS IN THE FACE OF CHANGES , BROUGHT ABOUT BY DEVELOPMENTS IN MINING TECHNOLOGY , IN THE QUALITY OF RUN-OF-MINE COAL . COAL PREPARATION TECHNIQUES MUST BE DEVELOPED AND ADAPTED TO DEAL WITH COAL CONTAINING INCREASING QUANTITIES OF WATER , FINES AND DIRT . IMPROVEMENTS ARE NEEDED IN THE CONDITIONING OF FINE MATERIAL AND ATTENTION SHOULD BE PAID TO THE POSSIBILITY OF LIMITING THE FORMATION OF ADDITIONAL FINES . THE AUTOMATION OF PREPARATION PLANTS AND DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FIELD OF PROCESS CONTROL CAN CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THE IMPROVEMENT OF PRODUCT QUALITY AND CONSISTENCY , AND ARE OF CONSIDERABLE INTEREST IN RELATION TO COST SAVINGS AND THE ELIMINATION OF ARDUOUS AND UMPLEASANT TASKS ; IN ADDITION , THE PROBLEM OF IMPROVING THE RELIABILITY OF COAL PREPARATION EQUIPMENT DESERVES INVESTIGATION .

- FUNDAMENTAL STUDIES - PROPERTIES OF RAW COAL AND TREATED PRODUCTS , MECHANISM OF TREATMENT PROCESSES .

- STOCKPILING AND HOMOGENIZATION .

- SPECIAL METHODS OF COAL TRANSPORT FOR LONG AND SHORT DISTANCES .

- IMPROVEMENT OF CONVENTIONAL PREPARATION TECHNIQUES .

- DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TECHNIQUES .

- IMPROVED TREATMENT AND DEWATERING OF FINE MATERIAL , AND AVOIDANCE OF FORMATION OF ADDITIONAL FINES .

- AUTOMATIC MEASUREMENT OF PRODUCT QUALITY , AND AUTOMATION AND CONTROL OF THE PROCESS .

- COAL DESULPHURIZATION .

- SPOIL DUMPING .

B.II . COKING OF COAL

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT COKING PLANTS , WHICH ARE AMONG THE COMMUNITY'S MAIN COAL CONSUMERS , SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE THE BEST POSSIBLE USE OF COKING COAL . TO THIS END , RESEARCH SHOULD BE DIRECTED TOWARDS INCREASING THE CAPACITY AND PROFITABILITY OF COKE OVENS , WIDENING THE RANGE OF COALS THAT CAN BE USED TO MAKE COKE , MAINTAINING OR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF METALLURGICAL COKE AND SOLVING THE PROBLEMS OF AIR AND WATER POLLUTION ASSOCIATED WITH COKING PLANT . THE IMPORTANT PROBLEM OF BLAST FURNACE COKE QUALITY DESERVES SPECIAL ATTENTION , AND THE MECHANIZATION AND AUTOMATION OF COKE OVEN OPERATIONS IS A TOPIC OF PARTICULAR INTEREST .

- PROPERTIES OF COAL , COAL BLENDS , COKE AND BYPRODUCTS .

- MECHANISM OF COKING AND BEHAVIOUR OF OVEN CHARGES .

- CHARGE PREHEATING AND COMPACTION , ADDITION OF BINDERS , BLENDING OF COALS .

- DEVELOPMENT OF COKE OVENS :

- MECHANIZATION ,

- AUTOMATION AND PROCESS CONTROL ,

- PRODUCTIVITY AND THERMAL ECONOMY ,

- IMPROVED REFRACTORIES .

- PRODUCTION AND UPGRADING OF BY-PRODUCTS .

- GAS CLEANING AND UPGRADING .

- DEVELOPMENT OF USES FOR COKE OVEN GAS .

- NEW TECHNIQUES FOR BRIQUETTING AND PRODUCTION OF COKES FROM HARD COAL AND LIGNITE .

- PROBLEMS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION .

B.III . COMBUSTION OF COAL AND NEW TECHNIQUES FOR COAL UTILIZATION

CURRENT ENERGY SUPPLY CONDITIONS HAVE GIVEN RISE TO A NEW REALIZATION THAT THERE IS A NEED TO USE INCREASING QUANTITIES OF COAL FOR ELECTRICITY GENERATION AND HEAT PRODUCTION . IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THIS USE , PRACTICAL STUDIES , AIMED AT IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY AND CONVENIENCE OF COAL-FIRED EQUIPMENT AND AT REDUCING ITS CAPITAL COST , ARE REQUIRED . RESEARCH , ON A MODEST SCALE , RELATED TO INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY OF ENERGY UTILIZATION BY USING COAL IN COMBINED CYCLES FOR ELECTRICITY GENERATION IS OF SPECIAL INTEREST , AND FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL - AND MEDIUM-SIZED COALBURNING EQUIPMENT IS NEEDED IN ORDER TO HOLD EXISTING MARKETS FOR COAL AND TO WIN NEW ONES .

ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS MUST BE GIVEN SPECIAL CONSIDERATION IN ALL RESEARCH INTO COAL COMBUSTION AND UTILIZATION . IN PARTICULAR , IMPROVED METHODS MUST BE DEVELOPED FOR THE UPGRADING OF WASTE PRODUCTS SUCH AS MINESTONE AND POWER STATION FLY ASH .

- STUDIES OF COMBUSTION MECHANISMS AND PROCESSES .

- IMPROVED EFFICIENCY OF CONVENTIONAL COMBUSTION SYSTEMS .

- DEVELOPMENT OF NEW SYSTEMS FOR COMBUSTION OF COAL AND LOW-GRADE SOLID FUELS .

- IMPROVED CONVENIENCE OF SMALL - AND MEDIUM-SIZED COMBUSTION EQUIPMENT :

- AUTOMATIC OPERATION ,

- IMPROVED COAL AND ASH HANDLING .

- USE OF COAL IN COMBINED CYCLES FOR ELECTRICITY GENERATION .

- CONVERSION OF COLLIERY SPOIL AND FLY ASH INTO USEFUL PRODUCTS .

- CONTROL OF POLLUTANT FORMATION AND EMISSION DURING COMBUSTION AND METHODS FOR PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN COAL UTILIZATION .

B.IV . COAL CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS AND DEVELOPMENT OF PROCESSES

AS A RESULT OF THE CHANGING PATTERN OF ENERGY SUPPLY IT WILL BECOME INCREASINGLY NECESSARY TO TURN TO COAL AS A SOURCE OF GASEOUS AND LIQUID FUELS AND OF RAW MATERIALS FOR THE CHEMICAL INDUSTRY IN ORDER TO PROVIDE SUBSTITUTES FOR PRODUCTS THAT ARE CURRENTLY MADE FROM OIL . IN THIS CONNECTION THERE IS A CONTINUING NEED FOR RESEARCH OF A BASIC NATURE , MAINLY ON THE LABORATORY SCALE , RELATED TO FUNDAMENTAL ASPECTS OF COAL PROCESSING AND CONVERSION . THERE IS ALSO A REQUIREMENT FOR SUCH RESEARCH IN CONNECTION WITH THE MORE TRADITIONAL ASPECTS OF COAL UTILIZATION . THIS FIELD IS ALSO CONCERNED WITH STUDIES OF A MORE APPLIED NATURE , ALTHOUGH STILL ON A RELATIVELY SMALL SCALE , AIMED AT THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROCESSES FOR UPGRADING THE PRODUCTS OF THE COAL-MINING INDUSTRY . AS IN OTHER FIELDS , ATTENTION MUST BE PAID TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS .

- PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF COAL AND COAL PRODUCTS .

- MECHANISM OF COAL PROCESSING TECHNIQUES .

- STUDY OF HIGH-INTENSITY CHEMICAL REACTIONS .

- GASIFICATION OF COAL TO PRODUCE HIGH - AND LOWCALORIFIC GASES ( INCLUDING HYDROGEN ) .

- SOLVENT EXTRACTION OF COAL .

- HYDROGENATION AND HYDROCRACKING OF COAL , COAL EXTRACTS AND COAL TARS .

- MANUFACTURE OF HIGH-VALUE CARBONS FROM COAL EXTRACTS AND COAL TARS .

- MANUFACTURE OF PRODUCTS BASED ON CHEMICALS DERIVED FROM COAL .

- UTILIZATION OF ACTIVE CARBON AND OTHER NEW MATERIALS DERIVED FROM COAL .

- MANUFACTURE OF SPECIAL FUELS AND COKES FROM COAL .

- MICROBIOLOGICAL TREATMENT OF COAL .

( 1 ) OJ NO C 139 , 12 . 11 . 1974 .

( 2 ) ECSC BULLETIN NO 41 , 1963 .

( 3 ) OJ NO C 99 , 31 . 7 . 1970 ; OJ NO C 74 , 10 . 7 . 1972 .

( 4 ) OJ NO C 60 , 25 . 5 . 1974 .