The mechanics of support and caving in longwall top-slicing / D.F. Coates and M. Gyenge, Fuels and Mining Practice Division.: M38-8/20E-PDF

"The work described in this paper was done as part of a cooperative research project with a mining company that was in the process of examining various underground mining methods. It was decided, in view of the development of modern equipment, to conduct an experimental operation in top-slicing using a longwall configuration. In brief, a mat of timber and chain-link mesh was to be laid in an initial slice immediately under the pit waste that had been drawn down to this level by former block-caving operations. The mat would then be supported for subsequent slices by friction props. Basic information was needed on the distribution of stress around the mine opening together with its effects on the prop loads, the stability of the face, the stability of the underdrift, and the caving in the tail area. It was anticipated, that all of these technical factors could have some influence on operating efficiency and, in particular, that the handling of props would greatly influence costs. The mobility of lightweight props would do much to make the mining method economically feasible. On the other hand, the need for heavy props, and any difficulties in moving them, would make the method too costly for iron-ore mining. It was also considered possible that the increased stress in the longwall face resulting from arching over the mine opening might cause some caving in blast holes in this incompetent ore. This concentration of stress being transmitted below the mining area conceivably would, in addition, affect the stability of the conveyor drifts under the slice"--Introd., p. 1.

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