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LEADERS Physics - Chapter 2.9
Chapter 2.9 Coal Mining Methods
16
Physics
Graduate
06/20/2010

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Term
What are the 3 methods of coal mining?
Definition
1. Deep mining (underground)
2. Surface or strip mining
3. Auger Mining
Term
What are six factors that affect the productivity of a mine or the percentage of available coal that can be recovered?
Definition
1. Thickness and structure of the coal bed.
2. The depth of the overburden
3. The characteristics of the strata above
4. The dip (slope) of the coal bed
5. The presence of mine gas
6. The presence of drainage water
Term
When are strip and auger mining considered to be practical?
Definition
Where the over burden is 100 feet thick or less
Term
When is deep mining used?
Definition
When the overburden is more than 100 ft thick
Term
What happens to the coal face in deep mining?
Definition
Undercut and drilled
Term
How is coal broken up in deep mining?
Definition
Coal is broken up by explosive and machines carry it to surface by way of shafts and tunnels
Term
What happens with strip mining?
Definition
The thin earth and rock overburden is removed to expose the coal bed and make it directly accessible to mining machines
Term
Is the average thickness of overburden removed during strip coal mining increasing or decreasing?
Definition
Increasing
Term
What is auger mining?
Definition
coal seams are horizontally bored into
Term
What type of mining can be used on coal beds located near the surface of the side of a hill?
Definition
Auger mining
Term
What determine the the percentage of available coal recovered?
Definition
economics, physical circumstances, and the mining methods
Term
What is the percentage of available coal recovered with strip mines?
Definition
80-90%
Term
What is the percentage of available coal recovered in deep and auger mines?
Definition
50%
Term
What are 3 problems associated with strip mining?
Definition
1. The unacceptable effects of strip mining
2. The consequences of a total ban on strip mining
3. Solutions to the remaining problems
Term
What are some major environmental problems caused by strip mining?
Definition
1. Soil Erosion
2. Water pollution
3. Disruption of communities
4. Effects of sedimentation
5. Destruction of fish habitats
6. Clogged culverts
7. Narrowing of stream and river channels
8. Shortening of useful lives of flood-control and water-storage dams
9. Acidic water
Term
What are solutions to strip mining problems?
Definition
1. Reclamation (return overburden to original conformation after mining)
2. Laws exist that have made reclamation compulsory
3. The final use of the land should be planned before removing any coal
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