1. B.N. Basu Director (CRD) CMPDI सीएमपीडीआई एकमिनिरत्नकंपनी Cmpdi (A Miniratna company) New Technology and Challenges for Underground Coal Mining

2. Coal Production from underground Coal Mines • Coal mining is carried out by • Surface or ‘opencast’ mining • Underground or ‘deep’ mining • Around 60% world coal production comes from underground mining • India emerged as the largest coal producer in the world after China and USA, producing about 9% of the total global production • From U/G China USA and India produce about 95%, 33% & 10% respectively

3. Trend Coal Production from CIL mines (1974-75 to 2011-12)

4. Different Mining Methods used in CIL UG mines • Conventional Bord & Pillar (B&P) system with manual loading of coal onto tubs. • Semi-mechanised B&P system with loading by Side Discharge Loaders (SDLs) or Load Haul Dumpers (LHDs) or mechanised drilling by Universal Drilling Machines (UDMs). • Mechanised Bord & Pillar/ Room & Pillar system with Continuous Miners (CMs). • Mechanised Powered Support Longwall (PSLW) mining system. • Methods with hydraulic stowing technology in conjunction with sand or alternative filling. • Special methods (i.e. site specific methods), like Blasting Gallery (BG) method, Cable bolting method, wide-stall method, steep mining methods, etc.

5. 0.32, 1% 1.79, 5% 0.18, 0% 3.54, 9% 0.15, 0% 0.1, 0% 32.31, 85% B&P Intermediate technology Roadheader (LW Dev.) PSLW Shortwall (in B&P) Highwall Mining Continuous Miner Conventional B&P (& Others) Technology-wise Underground Coal Production in CIL (2011-12)

6. Application of Mass production Technologies • Continuous Miner Technology (Bord/Room & Pillar) • Powered Support Longwall Technology

7. Continuous Miner technology presently in operation in CIL mines • Jhanjra, ECL – Joy Continuous Miner • Sarpi, SECL – Joy Continuous Miner • Tandsi, WCL - Joy Continuous Miner • Kumberkhani, WCL- Sandvik LCCM • NCPH, Chirimiri, SECL- Joy Continuous Miner • Sheetaldhara-Kurja, SECL- Bucyrus Continuous Miner • Pinoura, SECL- Bucyrus Continuous Miner • Rani Atari- Sandvik LCCM

8. Continuous Miner technology proposed in CIL mines • Jhanjhra, ECL- MOU has been signed • Tilaboni, ECL - Under tendering • Kottadih, ECL- Under tendering • Block-II, BCCL- LOA has been issued • Lohapatti, BCCL- Bids under scrutiny • Saoner-I,WCL- Under re-tendering • Churcha, SECL- LOA has been issued for two sets

9. Continuous Miner

10. Shuttle Car & Quad Bolter

11. Proposed Power Support Longwall Technology (PSLW) in CIL mines • Jhanjhra, ECL- Agreement has been signed • Moonidih seam XVI, BCCL- Bids under scrutiny • Moonidih seam XV, BCCL- LOA has been issued • Muraidih, BCCL- Agreement has been signed with L1 • Kapuria, BCCL- LOA has been issued

12. Shearer working at Longwall face

13. Shearer Drum

14. Powered Roof Supports (Two Legged)

15. Challenges of Underground Mining in CIL mines • UG operations at shallow depth has given way to quarry or surface mining • Closure of number of underground mines due to exhaustion of coal reserve or losses • Reduction or stagnation in production due to attrition of workforce or natural retirement • Reduced production and productivity due to old, long & arduous mines • Low technological, R&D or skill-development input in underground mines • A number of underground mining operations or processes involve human effort or drudgery • Low productivity of manpower • Geological disposition and exploration of coal seams has also affected indirectly

16. Other Constrains and challenges in U/G Mines • Size of the Mine / block • Geological Complexities and Exploration • Mine Approach & Development : high gestation period • Technological Development & Implementation • Absorption of Technology – Skill development • Strata Management & Control • Mechanization – Productivity Enhancement Needs • Equipment Supply & Maintenance – Vendor Development • Long & Arduous Travel / tramming routes – Man-riding / Material Supply • Mining hazards • Technological Gap – Focus on Specific R&D

17. Renewed Focus on Underground Mining • Aiming from 10% to 30% coal production by 2030 • Introduction of Mass-production Technology in large scale • Sharing of specific technology with other countries • Focusing on Specific R&D projects

18. Alternative Underground Coal Mining Technologies • Underground Coal Gasification • Coal bed Methane

19. THANK YOU