Analysis of the impact of mining and geological conditions in longwalls on the introduction of pressure monitoring for powered roof supports

Abstract

Polska Grupa Górnicza has analysed the longwalls in its mines where powered roof supports should be subject to pressure monitoring. The main goal was to increase the safety of people working in the longwall. The scope also included the economic improvement of active longwalls in terms of stoppages caused by roof fall or possible tremors. The analysis, carried out in this regard, allowed strategic longwalls to be selected from the individual mines of Polska Grupa Górnicza. The paper describes mining and geological conditions in the longwalls, where monitoring is carried out, with particular attention paid to potential tremors. The paper discusses the scope and use of powered roof supports in longwalls. The research team selected the pressure monitoring system as the most important parameter of work of the powered roof support. The paper also presents the results of an analysis carried out on the implementation of the system. A survey was conducted among the employees regarding the relevance of the monitoring system. The analyses results were used to recommend the directions of further actions related to a development of the system for monitoring the supporting parameters of the powered roof support systems.