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Pillar Extraction

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Ground Engineering - Principles and Practices for Underground Coal Mining

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Abstract

Pillar extraction, (also referred to as retreat mining; pillar recovery; stooping; pillar robbing; and bord and pillar second workings) is the practice of forming a series of pillars and then partially or totally extracting some or all of the pillars, usually with mining operations retreating out of a panel. There are a number of basic pillar extraction methods, with numerous permutations being associated with some of these methods. The practice has a history of being the most hazardous form of underground coal mining and a reputation for being an art as much as a science. However, since the mid 1990s, research into coal pillar mechanics in combination with new technology, education and a risk management approach to design and operation, have resulted in substantial improvements in the safety of pillar extraction.

This chapter commences with defining terminology specific to pillar extraction and reviewing attributes of the mining system that account for it being such a hazardous form of secondary coal extraction. It then presents a range of mining layouts and extraction sequences that have been developed in endeavours to reduce risk related to loss of ground control. This forms the foundation for evaluating ground control under the headings of global stability; panel stability; and workplace stability. Consideration is given to factors such as panel width to depth ratio; shape and age of pillars; goaf edge behaviour; goaf edge support systems; the design and impact of remnant pillars; and the significance of speed of extraction. It concludes by emphasising the importance of having operational discipline.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Manly, NSW, Australia

    J. M. Galvin

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Galvin, J.M. (2016). Pillar Extraction. In: Ground Engineering - Principles and Practices for Underground Coal Mining . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-25005-2_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-25005-2_8

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