Underground Mining Methods and Their Advantages and Disadvantages
Longwall mining is a method of underground mining in which a long wall of coal or other mineral is extracted by driving a series of parallel tunnels into the wall. The tunnels are usually driven by a continuous miner, and as the machine moves along the wall, it removes the coal or mineral, leaving behind a series of roof bolts to support the overlying rock. This method is used when the mineral deposit is flat and extensive, and it allows for high production rates and low operating costs.
Question 21. What is room and pillar ?
Ans. Room and pillar is a method of underground mining in which a network of rooms or chambers are driven into the mineral deposit, with pillars of ore left standing to support the roof. This method is used when the mineral deposit is not flat, and it allows for high production rates and good quality ore. The rooms are usually driven by drilling and blasting, and the pillars are left to support the overlying rock.
Question 22. What is sub-level caving ?
Ans. Sub-level caving is a method of underground mining in which the mineral deposit is extracted by driving tunnels at different levels, and allowing the overlying rock to collapse into the lower tunnels. This method is used when the mineral deposit is flat and extensive, and it allows for high production rates and low operating costs. The tunnels are usually driven by a continuous miner, and as the machine moves along the wall, it removes the coal or mineral, leaving behind a series of roof bolts to support the overlying rock.
Question 23. What is block caving ?
Ans. Block caving is a method of underground mining in which the mineral deposit is extracted by allowing the overlying rock to collapse into a large open pit, creating a block of ore that can be easily extracted. This method is used when the mineral deposit is flat and extensive, and it allows for high production rates and low operating costs. The tunnels are usually driven by a continuous miner, and as the machine moves along the wall, it removes the coal or mineral, leaving behind a series of roof bolts to support the overlying rock.
Question 24. What is retreat mining ?
Ans. Retreat mining is a method of underground mining in which the mineral deposit is extracted by progressively moving the tunnels further and further back into the deposit, allowing the overlying rock to collapse into the previously mined areas. This method is used when the mineral deposit is not flat, and it allows for high production rates and good quality ore. The tunnels are usually driven by a continuous miner, and as the machine moves along the wall, it removes the coal or mineral, leaving behind a series of roof bolts to support the overlying rock.
Question 25. What is the difference between longwall and room and pillar mining ?
Ans. Longwall mining involves driving a series of parallel tunnels into the mineral deposit, while room and pillar mining involves driving a network of rooms or chambers into the deposit with pillars of ore left standing to support the roof. Longwall mining allows for high production rates and low operating costs, but it requires a large amount of capital investment in equipment and infrastructure. Room and pillar mining allows for high quality ore and good recovery rates, but it requires more labor and equipment than longwall mining.
Question 26. What is the difference between sub-level caving and block caving ?
Ans. Sub-level caving involves driving tunnels at different levels to allow the overlying rock to collapse into the lower tunnels, while block caving involves allowing the overlying rock to collapse into a large open pit, creating a block of ore that can be easily extracted. Sub-level caving allows for high production rates and low operating costs, but it requires a large amount of capital investment in equipment and infrastructure. Block caving allows for high quality ore and good recovery rates, but it requires more labor and equipment than sub-level caving.
Question 27. What is the difference between retreat mining and other methods of underground mining ?
Ans. Retreat mining involves progressively moving the tunnels further and further back into the deposit, allowing the overlying rock to collapse into the previously mined areas. This method allows for high production rates and good quality ore, but it requires more labor and equipment than other methods of underground mining. Other methods of underground mining, such as longwall and room and pillar mining, involve extracting the mineral deposit by driving a series of parallel tunnels or a network of rooms and pillars. These methods allow for high production rates and low operating costs, but they require a large amount of capital investment in equipment and infrastructure.
Question 28. What are the advantages and disadvantages of underground mining ?
Ans. Advantages of underground mining include:
* Higher production rates and lower operating costs compared to surface mining
* Ability to mine deep deposits that are not accessible by surface mining methods
* Lower environmental impact compared to surface mining, as there is less disturbance of the natural landscape
* Better safety record compared to surface mining, as there are fewer hazards and risks associated with underground workings.
Disadvantages of underground mining include:
* Higher capital investment in equipment and infrastructure required for underground mining
* Greater risk of accidents and injuries associated with underground workings
* Difficulty in accessing the deposit if it is not flat or extensive
* Potential for rock bursts and other hazards associated with underground mining.
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