A COMPLETE COAL MINING SIMULATION

Special Research Report SR-75 This report presents the development and application of a_ dynamic model of coal mining. The model simulates the movement of in-place coal from multiple mine faces to panel arrangements, development pro- grams and the evaluation of face and haulage equipment are encompassed by the model. In order to aid management pass from an area of subjective decision making to an objective one in the application of the model, a case study is included. It should be emphasized that the model is not tailored to this specific operating system but rather adaptable to any system of mining; any type of utilization of machinery; and any specific management operating policy. This generality is realized by a special feature called the External Programming System. The system is actually a simple computer language, the controls of which are familiar to the user in abbreviated form. The main differences between this model and its predecessors are: (1) the ability to transport material from multiple mine faces to multiple mine destinations and the ready adaptability to a wide variety of mine layouts; (2) the deterministic simulation of equipment moves according to their mechanical capabilities and the physical profile of the mining system; and (3) the model is dynamic rather than steady state in character.