| Longwall mining is more profitable than any other underground coal mining method for its inherent ability to achieve a higher rate of extraction. It has gained popularity over the last two decades due to its higher production rate, better personnel health and safety records, and full potentiality for automation. Today, use of the wide longwall face and its fast advancement rate achieves higher production in a brief period of time. As a result, unexpected ground control problems, such as roof falls, excessive face convergence, shield damage, and frequent maintenance problems, often cause a sudden interruption in coal production and serious safety hazards. Most of the time, it is difficult to determine the cause of such problems and to install proper preventive measures. This research shows that analyzing real-time shield pressure data and exercising forecasting capabilities can reduce longwall down-time and improve safety in everyday operation of coal mining.; This research develops a system, LoSCoMS (Longwall Strata Control & Maintenance System), which provides on-line shield monitoring, data presentation, data analysis, forecasting of shield pressures, and warning of any unusual event. The major objective of this system is to provide ground control information of the longwall panel, including maintenance information for each shield. On-line analysis of shield pressures and forecasting of the forthcoming mining cycles using artificial intelligence techniques can help prepare mine management for any unusual event at the longwall face. Thus, LoSCoMS allows mining personnel to evaluate the past, present, and future ground conditions in order to assist daily longwall operation.; LoSCoMS has successfully been applied to the longwall operation at Shoal Creek Mine, Alabama, since the system was installed in mid 1996. Currently, two longwall faces are continuously being monitored by means of this system to assist in their everyday operation. |
