Application of retreating and caving longwall (top coal caving) method for coal production at GLE Turkey

Abstract

Underground coal production at GLE Turkey was originally won from conventional longwall mining (drill and blast) and more recently from the innovative use of the mechanised longwall top coal caving method. This latter method was introduced to gain maximum tonnage from the extraction of an 8 m lignite coal seam under very difficult mining conditions. The present paper discusses the application of the longwall top coal caving method and its advantages and disadvantages compared with conventional longwall mining at the mine. In general adequate retreat rates were achieved once sufficient experience of the top coal caving method allowed the method to be refined. This is especially important at GLE-Turkey as major lignite coal reserves are at 400–600 m depth and will present a challenge to mine effectively and economically.