Coal bursts involve the sudden, violent ejection of coal or rock into the mine workings. They are a particular hazard because they typically occur without warning. During the past 2 years three US coal miners were kil...Coal bursts involve the sudden, violent ejection of coal or rock into the mine workings. They are a particular hazard because they typically occur without warning. During the past 2 years three US coal miners were killed in two coal bursts, following a 6-year period during which there were zero burst fatalities. This paper puts the US experience in the context of worldwide research into coal bursts. It focuses on two major longwall mining coalfields which have struggled with bursts for decades. The Utah experience displays many of the ＂classic＂ burst characteristics, including deep cover, strong roof and floor rock, and a direct association between bursts and mining activity. In Colorado, the longwalls of the North Fork Valley （NFV） also work at great depth, but their roof and floor strengths are moderate, and most bursts have occurred during entry development or in headgates, bleeders, or other outby locations. The NFV bursts also are more likely to be associated with geologic structures and large magnitude seismic events. The paper provides a detailed case history to illustrate the experience in each of these coalfields. The paper closes with a brief discussion of how US longwalls have managed the burst risk.展开更多
This paper presents a new method for the correct selection of mining methods and pre-diction of main technological and economic indexes of the face in the gentle inclined thick seams with the application of the artifi...This paper presents a new method for the correct selection of mining methods and pre-diction of main technological and economic indexes of the face in the gentle inclined thick seams with the application of the artificial neural network theory and the expert system. The theory anal- ysis and calculating results indicate that the method is reliable, practical and precise. This method has strongly capabilities of self-study and non-linear dynamic data process. It is expected to be widely applied in the policy decision and prediction of mining technology in coal mine.展开更多
It has been proven that longwall faces can be moved safely and efficiently. However,abutment pressures and poor ground control conditions can halt operations and be hazardous to coal miners. Recently at a mine in Sout...It has been proven that longwall faces can be moved safely and efficiently. However,abutment pressures and poor ground control conditions can halt operations and be hazardous to coal miners. Recently at a mine in Southwestern Pennsylvania,roof material collapsed above shields that created two large voids and caused major challenges for shield recovery. A unique,engineering solution was developed that utilized a modified concrete material to fill the voids,creating stability in the affected area. The many phases of this project included the construction phase,void pumping,cutting out,and bolting of the concrete material. This project eliminated the hazards associated with bolting the recovery face and removing shields in adverse conditions,making it possible for the mine operator to safely complete the longwall move.展开更多
Founded in 1902 as the Transvaal Miners＇ Association, the South African Mine Workers＇ Union （MWU）, as it was renamed in 1913, rose to prominence as a militant union for white miners, especially during the turbulen...Founded in 1902 as the Transvaal Miners＇ Association, the South African Mine Workers＇ Union （MWU）, as it was renamed in 1913, rose to prominence as a militant union for white miners, especially during the turbulent years of industrial strife and bloody strike action in the first two decades of the 20th century. Since the election victory of the Pact government in 1924 a program of pro-white protectionist legislation was introduced. As South Africa＇s most prominent white trade union of the 20th century, the MWU therefore became renowned for defending job reservation in the mining industry. After 1948, it enjoyed the National Party government＇s support in this regard. However, skilled labor shortages and changing labor conditions in the 1970s forced the government to introduce labor reform. Job reservation was scrapped and black unions were officially recognized. These initiatives put the MWU on a confrontational path with the government and the union aligned itself with right-wing political resistance and protest. But, the altered political and economic South African realities after 1994 forced the MWU to rethink its strategies. By 2002, it had reinvented and transformed itself into Solidarity, adequately equipped for addressing the labor challenges and demands of a post-apartheid South Africa. This article, based on the author＇s research of the South African labor movement in the early 20th century, traces the historical development of the union and its influence on South African political and labor history.展开更多
Studies on land loss in Tuvalu reveal the following findings. Although both sea level rise and coastal erosion can cause land loss in the tropic Pacific oceanic islands, their mechanisms are different. When sea level ...Studies on land loss in Tuvalu reveal the following findings. Although both sea level rise and coastal erosion can cause land loss in the tropic Pacific oceanic islands, their mechanisms are different. When sea level rises, the low elevation coastal zone submerges and the erosion datum plane rises, the beach process progresses normally as always, resulting in no beach sediment coarsening. When the sea level is stable, coastal erosion removes finer sediment from reef flat, beach and land, resulting in beach sediment coarsening. The human-induced coastal erosion in the tropic Pacific oceanic islands has the following features. 1) Erosion occurs or intensifies immediately after inappropriate human activities. 2) It occurs near the places having human activities and places related to the above places in sediment supply. 3) It often occurs on original prograding or stable coasts (on lagoon coasts for atolls) because there are more coastal engineering projects and other human activities on such coasts. 4) It is chronic, covering a long period of time. The coastal geological events in Tuvalu islands do not accord with the features resulted from sea level rise but do accord with the features resulted from coastal erosion, particularly from human-induced erosion. The land loss in Tuvalu is mainly caused by inappropriate human activities including coastal engineering and aggregate mining, and partly caused by cyclones. Moreover, all recent measurements (satellite altimetry,thermosteric sea level data and tide observations) so far have not been able to verify any sea level rise around Tuvalu islands.展开更多
Based on the neural network technique, this paper proposes a BP neural network model which integrates geological factors which affect top coal caving in a comprehensive index. The index of top coal caving may be used ...Based on the neural network technique, this paper proposes a BP neural network model which integrates geological factors which affect top coal caving in a comprehensive index. The index of top coal caving may be used to forecast the mining cost of working faces, which shows the model’s potential prospect of applications.展开更多
One of the most serious conundrum facing the stope production in underground metalliferous mining is uneven break （UB： unplanned dilution and ore-loss）. Although the UB has a huge economic fallout to the entire min...One of the most serious conundrum facing the stope production in underground metalliferous mining is uneven break （UB： unplanned dilution and ore-loss）. Although the UB has a huge economic fallout to the entire mining process, it is practically unavoidable due to the complex causing mechanism. In this study, the contribution of ten major UB causative parameters ha,; been scrutinised based on a published UB predicting artificial neuron network （ANN） model to put UB under the engineering management. Two typical ANN sensitivity analysis methods, i.e., connection weight algorithm （CWA） and profile method （PM） have been applied. As a result of CWA and PM applications, adjusted Qrate （AQ） revealed as the most influential parameter to UB with contribution of 22,40% in CWA and 20,48% in PM respectively. The findings of this study can be used as an important reference in stope design, production, and reconciliation stages on underground stoping mine.展开更多
文摘Coal bursts involve the sudden, violent ejection of coal or rock into the mine workings. They are a particular hazard because they typically occur without warning. During the past 2 years three US coal miners were killed in two coal bursts, following a 6-year period during which there were zero burst fatalities. This paper puts the US experience in the context of worldwide research into coal bursts. It focuses on two major longwall mining coalfields which have struggled with bursts for decades. The Utah experience displays many of the ＂classic＂ burst characteristics, including deep cover, strong roof and floor rock, and a direct association between bursts and mining activity. In Colorado, the longwalls of the North Fork Valley （NFV） also work at great depth, but their roof and floor strengths are moderate, and most bursts have occurred during entry development or in headgates, bleeders, or other outby locations. The NFV bursts also are more likely to be associated with geologic structures and large magnitude seismic events. The paper provides a detailed case history to illustrate the experience in each of these coalfields. The paper closes with a brief discussion of how US longwalls have managed the burst risk.
文摘This paper presents a new method for the correct selection of mining methods and pre-diction of main technological and economic indexes of the face in the gentle inclined thick seams with the application of the artificial neural network theory and the expert system. The theory anal- ysis and calculating results indicate that the method is reliable, practical and precise. This method has strongly capabilities of self-study and non-linear dynamic data process. It is expected to be widely applied in the policy decision and prediction of mining technology in coal mine.
文摘It has been proven that longwall faces can be moved safely and efficiently. However,abutment pressures and poor ground control conditions can halt operations and be hazardous to coal miners. Recently at a mine in Southwestern Pennsylvania,roof material collapsed above shields that created two large voids and caused major challenges for shield recovery. A unique,engineering solution was developed that utilized a modified concrete material to fill the voids,creating stability in the affected area. The many phases of this project included the construction phase,void pumping,cutting out,and bolting of the concrete material. This project eliminated the hazards associated with bolting the recovery face and removing shields in adverse conditions,making it possible for the mine operator to safely complete the longwall move.
文摘Founded in 1902 as the Transvaal Miners＇ Association, the South African Mine Workers＇ Union （MWU）, as it was renamed in 1913, rose to prominence as a militant union for white miners, especially during the turbulent years of industrial strife and bloody strike action in the first two decades of the 20th century. Since the election victory of the Pact government in 1924 a program of pro-white protectionist legislation was introduced. As South Africa＇s most prominent white trade union of the 20th century, the MWU therefore became renowned for defending job reservation in the mining industry. After 1948, it enjoyed the National Party government＇s support in this regard. However, skilled labor shortages and changing labor conditions in the 1970s forced the government to introduce labor reform. Job reservation was scrapped and black unions were officially recognized. These initiatives put the MWU on a confrontational path with the government and the union aligned itself with right-wing political resistance and protest. But, the altered political and economic South African realities after 1994 forced the MWU to rethink its strategies. By 2002, it had reinvented and transformed itself into Solidarity, adequately equipped for addressing the labor challenges and demands of a post-apartheid South Africa. This article, based on the author＇s research of the South African labor movement in the early 20th century, traces the historical development of the union and its influence on South African political and labor history.
基金projects on coastal erosion and management in Tuvalu are funded by the Ministry of Foreign Economic Co-operation and Trade,China.
文摘Studies on land loss in Tuvalu reveal the following findings. Although both sea level rise and coastal erosion can cause land loss in the tropic Pacific oceanic islands, their mechanisms are different. When sea level rises, the low elevation coastal zone submerges and the erosion datum plane rises, the beach process progresses normally as always, resulting in no beach sediment coarsening. When the sea level is stable, coastal erosion removes finer sediment from reef flat, beach and land, resulting in beach sediment coarsening. The human-induced coastal erosion in the tropic Pacific oceanic islands has the following features. 1) Erosion occurs or intensifies immediately after inappropriate human activities. 2) It occurs near the places having human activities and places related to the above places in sediment supply. 3) It often occurs on original prograding or stable coasts (on lagoon coasts for atolls) because there are more coastal engineering projects and other human activities on such coasts. 4) It is chronic, covering a long period of time. The coastal geological events in Tuvalu islands do not accord with the features resulted from sea level rise but do accord with the features resulted from coastal erosion, particularly from human-induced erosion. The land loss in Tuvalu is mainly caused by inappropriate human activities including coastal engineering and aggregate mining, and partly caused by cyclones. Moreover, all recent measurements (satellite altimetry,thermosteric sea level data and tide observations) so far have not been able to verify any sea level rise around Tuvalu islands.
文摘Based on the neural network technique, this paper proposes a BP neural network model which integrates geological factors which affect top coal caving in a comprehensive index. The index of top coal caving may be used to forecast the mining cost of working faces, which shows the model’s potential prospect of applications.
文摘One of the most serious conundrum facing the stope production in underground metalliferous mining is uneven break （UB： unplanned dilution and ore-loss）. Although the UB has a huge economic fallout to the entire mining process, it is practically unavoidable due to the complex causing mechanism. In this study, the contribution of ten major UB causative parameters ha,; been scrutinised based on a published UB predicting artificial neuron network （ANN） model to put UB under the engineering management. Two typical ANN sensitivity analysis methods, i.e., connection weight algorithm （CWA） and profile method （PM） have been applied. As a result of CWA and PM applications, adjusted Qrate （AQ） revealed as the most influential parameter to UB with contribution of 22,40% in CWA and 20,48% in PM respectively. The findings of this study can be used as an important reference in stope design, production, and reconciliation stages on underground stoping mine.
