Radovan Kukutsch from the Institute of Geonics and Clean Technologies in the Czech Republic will be presenting a case study paper on stress measurement in coal seams ahead of a longwall face with increasing depth.

Stress monitoring is being carried out using compact conical-ended borehole monitoring probes. The stress measurement data will be compared with the theoretical assumptions and mathematical model results.

Blackrock Mining Solutions’ Richard Campbell will speak on a case study of methods used to recover a significant fall of ground on a longwall salvage face.

The case study provides an example of where a staged, risk based method was successfully developed and implemented.

The importance of a collaborative approach, including a thorough quality assurance program, is thought to be fundamental to the success of any salvage operation and to ensure the resumption of normal operations is achieved.

Campbell is expected to explain how successful longwall salvages rely on geotechnically controlled conditions which allow for rapid shield recovery in often dynamic environments.