APPliCATION OF A CONTINUOUS MINING SYSTEM IN A MEDIUM PITCHING ANTHRACITE BED OF NORTH-EASTERN PENNSYlVANIA

Special Research Report SR-77 This report summarizes the initial stages of a continuous mining installation in an anthracite mine. Two miners, Muniko and Eickhoff, were purchased for installation in the Wanamie Colliery of the Blue Coal Corporation. Operational data for this report are restricted to the Muniko miner only since the Eickhoff had not been put in operation underground. Poor haulage and mining conditions limited output of the miner severely. A geological disturbance was encountered where the pyritic content became extremely high and the coal pinched out to 3 ft. from a normal 7 ft. height. Machine operation had to be abandoned and a narrow place was driven by hand. Subsequently, the machine was moved to another place. Bit holders and bits were damaged cutting the hard coal and thus bit costs were excessive. Dust conditions, difficulty with supports, conveyor sliding down dip, inexperience of miners and delays waiting on haulage resulted in a poorer performance than anticipated. Tonnage projections made eliminating "unnecessary delays" reveal that machine performance would be good, approaching what has been reported in Europe. Also, it is anticipated that some of the problems with the Muniko will not exist with the Eickhoff because of better features and design.