Coal MiningCoal Mining

By: Shane ViarsBy: Shane Viars

Appalachian HistoryAppalachian History

Appalachian Course ProjectAppalachian Course Project

History of Coal MiningHistory of Coal Mining

The history of coal mining dates back to The history of coal mining dates back to over 400 million years ago.over 400 million years ago.

Coal mining started in Midlothian, Virginia Coal mining started in Midlothian, Virginia (near Richmond) in 1748.(near Richmond) in 1748.

Coal machines were available in the 1880’s.Coal machines were available in the 1880’s. The oldest deep-mine facility is the Tower The oldest deep-mine facility is the Tower

Colliery, located in the UK, in 1805.Colliery, located in the UK, in 1805. Surface mining was started in 1912.Surface mining was started in 1912.

History of Coal Mining History of Coal Mining (continued)(continued)

England was the first to realize the value of England was the first to realize the value of coal. coal.

Chinese people were the first to use coal in Chinese people were the first to use coal in large amounts.large amounts.

Types of MiningTypes of Mining

Strip miningStrip mining Mountaintop removalMountaintop removal Long-wall miningLong-wall mining Continuous miningContinuous mining Conventional miningConventional mining Short-wall miningShort-wall mining Surface miningSurface mining

Strip MiningStrip Mining

A picture of a strip mines in Southwest Virginia.A picture of a strip mines in Southwest Virginia.

Strip MiningStrip Mining

Strip mining is done when the coal seams Strip mining is done when the coal seams are near the surface of the earth (also called are near the surface of the earth (also called surface mining.)surface mining.)

Underground mining is a type of surface Underground mining is a type of surface mining, taking place at the top of a mining, taking place at the top of a mountain.mountain.

This type of mining is mostly in the This type of mining is mostly in the Appalachain region.Appalachain region.

Conventional MiningConventional Mining

A picture of the blasting of a mines,A picture of the blasting of a mines,

Known as conventional mining.Known as conventional mining.

Conventional MiningConventional Mining

Accounts for less than 5% of underground Accounts for less than 5% of underground production in the U.S.production in the U.S.

Explosives are used to break up the coal Explosives are used to break up the coal seam into parts.seam into parts.

Continuous MiningContinuous Mining

The machine that scrapes the coal seams with The machine that scrapes the coal seams with its rotating wheel of blades.its rotating wheel of blades.

Continuous MiningContinuous Mining

A machine is used to obtain the coal.A machine is used to obtain the coal. The machine has a large rotating steel drum The machine has a large rotating steel drum

equipped with teeth that scrape coal from equipped with teeth that scrape coal from the seam of the mines.the seam of the mines.

Accounts for more than 2/3% of Accounts for more than 2/3% of underground production.underground production.

Uses the room and pillar method.Uses the room and pillar method.

Room and Pillar MethodRoom and Pillar Method

Room and Pillar in the mines.Room and Pillar in the mines.

Room and Pillar MethodRoom and Pillar Method

Mines are cut into rooms.Mines are cut into rooms. Rooms are usually between 20-30 foot.Rooms are usually between 20-30 foot.

Short Wall MiningShort Wall Mining

Trucks receiving coal using short wall mining.Trucks receiving coal using short wall mining.

Short Wall MiningShort Wall Mining

Accounts for less that 1% of deep coal Accounts for less that 1% of deep coal production in the world.production in the world.

The miner shears coal panels into sections, The miner shears coal panels into sections, which are about 150 to 200 feet wide and which are about 150 to 200 feet wide and more than ½ a mile long.more than ½ a mile long.

Long Wall MiningLong Wall Mining

Machine getting coal by using the long wall Machine getting coal by using the long wall method.method.

Long Wall MiningLong Wall Mining Accounts for 20% of production in the world.Accounts for 20% of production in the world. 80% of coal produced in the world can be 80% of coal produced in the world can be

obtained using this method.obtained using this method. Accounts for 50% of underground production.Accounts for 50% of underground production. Miner shears coal panels into larger sections Miner shears coal panels into larger sections

than those in the short wall method.than those in the short wall method. Explosives are used after the coal is received in Explosives are used after the coal is received in

order to receive the rest of the coal.order to receive the rest of the coal.

Different Kinds of MinesDifferent Kinds of Mines

Drift mineDrift mine Slope mineSlope mine

Drift MineDrift Mine

Model of a drift mine.Model of a drift mine.

Drift MinesDrift Mines

The mine is entered by driving level The mine is entered by driving level openings call drifts, to the deposit of coal.openings call drifts, to the deposit of coal.

Slope MineSlope Mine

Model of a slope mine.Model of a slope mine.

Slope MinesSlope Mines

The openings are driven in a sloping The openings are driven in a sloping direction to follow the seam that lies in the direction to follow the seam that lies in the hill.hill.

Coal Mining TodayCoal Mining Today

There are over 1,000 surface mines.There are over 1,000 surface mines. There are also over 1,000 underground There are also over 1,000 underground

mines.mines. Most of these mines are located east of the Most of these mines are located east of the

Mississippi River.Mississippi River.

Fatalities Fatalities

Thousands of miners die every year in less Thousands of miners die every year in less developed countries rather than in large, developed countries rather than in large, more developed ones.more developed ones.

China has the highest rates.China has the highest rates. China also has the highest number of coal China also has the highest number of coal

mining related deaths in the world.mining related deaths in the world. Many happen because of the safety Many happen because of the safety

conditions and hazardous gas.conditions and hazardous gas.

Fatality ReportsFatality Reports

A 2004 poll shows the relation of deaths A 2004 poll shows the relation of deaths between China and U.S.: between China and U.S.: – China – 6,027China – 6,027– U.S. – 28U.S. – 28

MSHA and SMCRAMSHA and SMCRA

MSHA – Mine Safety and Health MSHA – Mine Safety and Health Administration passed laws for the mines Administration passed laws for the mines and miners, making sure that certain gases and miners, making sure that certain gases are not exposed to the miners.are not exposed to the miners.

SMCRA – Surface Mining Control and SMCRA – Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 was passed in Reclamation Act of 1977 was passed in response of negative land effects of coal response of negative land effects of coal mining and abundance of abandoned mines.mining and abundance of abandoned mines.

Change in MinersChange in Miners

In 1980 there were 220,000 miners in the In 1980 there were 220,000 miners in the country. Today there are less than 100,000 country. Today there are less than 100,000 miners.miners.

In 1980 there was 800,000 tons of coal In 1980 there was 800,000 tons of coal produced in the country. Today there is over produced in the country. Today there is over 1 billion tons of coal produced.1 billion tons of coal produced.

Even though the number of miners went Even though the number of miners went down the coal production increase drastically. down the coal production increase drastically.

Change in Miners (continued)Change in Miners (continued)

50 years ago there was a reported 335,000 50 years ago there was a reported 335,000 workers and 7,200 mines.workers and 7,200 mines.

Now there are 104,824 workers and 2,000 Now there are 104,824 workers and 2,000 mines.mines.

Between the years 1970 and 2004 there Between the years 1970 and 2004 there was an 83% increase of production in coal was an 83% increase of production in coal industry. industry.

ConclusionConclusion

Although mining is a very dangerous job, it Although mining is a very dangerous job, it is a very important thing in today society.is a very important thing in today society.

It is very much needed all around the world It is very much needed all around the world and Southwest Virginia is a very important and Southwest Virginia is a very important place for the production of this.place for the production of this.