Stowing on longwall faces on the basis of experience acquired in the German coal mining industry

Abstract

Introduction of stowing in the German coal mining industry has a long tradition. Pneumatic stowing applications are known from the literature since at least 1924 and it is highly probable that simple stowing had been practised far earlier. Highly specific regulations apply to different deposits and extraction methods on the basis of vast experience in the international mining industry and the corresponding boundary conditions. The following contribution will concentrate solely on what advantage is achieved for longwall working in coal and will not cover other extraction methods and deposit prerequisites. The contribution initially describes the aims of introduction of stowing starting from the situation of longwall working with self-stowing, so-called caving, and its basic technical and economic features. Tested methods in the German coal mining industry are then described and the experience summarised. The methods, their mechanical effect and the planning possibilities are taken into account and the cost-effectiveness of previous applications summarised. It is clear that because of the special conditions in the German coal mining industry the use of stowing technology has no longer come into consideration since the mid-1990s, for technical, infrastructural and in particular, economic reasons. However, the conclusion cannot be applied to international mining and other deposit conditions. For this reason the contribution concludes with consideration of the potential for further optimisation of future applications – as currently being introduced at the highest technical level in China – with the developments in the German coal mining industry.