METHOD FOR MINING GENTLY DIPPING COAL SEAMS Russian patent published in 1994 - IPC

FIELD: mining of gently dipping coal seams. SUBSTANCE: method includes panel preparation by driving central and side inclined workings; ventilation of faces by supplying fresh air stream along seam drifts; conveyer transportation of coal from faces to central inclined working; simultaneous extraction of several recoverable pillars in direction from central inclined workings to side ones. As each face advances, fringe drift and winze are driven. Fringe drift is joined with seam drift by means of said winze; ventilation of faces by fresh air stream from side inclined workings and discharge of return ventilation air to central inclined workings through fringe drifts; direction of part of fresh air current through winze bypassing face, from seam drifts to fringe drifts; transportation of coal from face to fringe drifts in same direction with motion of part of fresh air current. EFFECT: higher efficiency. 2 dwg