METHOD OF MINING FLAT SEAMS PRONE TO HEAVING Russian patent published in 2000 - IPC

FIELD: mining industry. SUBSTANCE: method is used in mining of gently dipping coal seams prone to heaving by board-and-pillar system with repeated use of development workings. The method is characterized by the fact that prior to mining of coal pillar, roof and floor convergence of development working is determined over its entire length, and in driving of development working, coal band is left in its floor with thickness equalling value of maximum convergence. In this case, on the districts conjugated with mounting and dismantling rooms, thickness of coal band is reduced to zero, and pillar is extracted by breakage face whose length equals pillar width plus width of outlying development workings. Reduced are expenditures for maintenance of district development workings in cases when floor of coal seams is prone to heaving. EFFECT: higher level of reliability of maintenance-free service of working for its repeated use. 6 dwg