Substantiation of the Technology of Efficient Transition to High Bench Stripping of Thick Coal Seams

Abstract

One of the most promising areas of increasing the open mining efficiency with the methods reducing the negative impact on the environment is the use of high overburden benches, including those on the basis of the stripping system with overburden transport. The use of high overburden benches in the open mining of steep and steeply dipping deposits ensures the growth of the completeness the deposit's reserves mining while simultaneously increasing the safety and efficiency of open mining operations and reducing the surrounding environmental impact. The justification of the parameters and the technology of an effective transition to the high bench stripping of thick coal deposits is performed. It is proved, that the transition to high overburden benches in the period of maximum development of mining operations provides the increase in the volume of additional recoverable mineral resources by 18-23% corresponding to the increase in the depth of the open pit mine and the period of its operation. At the same time, the length of transport routes and communications is reduced to 15%, as well as the number of transport equipment and the time for the transfer of machinery and equipment.