Retreat Mining Practices in Kentucky
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Retreat Mining Practices in Kentucky A Comprehensive Analysis of Retreat Mining Operations in Kentucky including Regulations, Safety Practices, and Operator Reporting February 2006 GOB Posts 50' 9B 10B 1B 2B MRS MRS 1 2 2A 9A 0' 10A 1A '-4 20 25 '-5 0' Advance 4 11 Reposition 12 3 After MRS 1 and 2 Continuous Mining Machine Each 65' After Entry 1 Lift Mining 6 13 14 5 15B 15A 16 23B 23A 7 8' Min. MRS 8' Min. 8 3 Block No.1 Block No.2 MRS Advance After Each Lift 4 Barrier Entry 1 Entry 2 8 Lift mining sequence Install additional double rows of breaker posts in entries before and after certain lifts as required. Christmas Tree Retreat Mining Method Prepared for: Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet Kentucky Department for Natural Resources #2 Hudson Hollow Frankfort, Kentucky 40601 Submitted by: Marshall Miller & Associates, Inc. Energy • Environmental • Engineering 5480 Swanton Drive Lexington, Kentucky 40509 Retreat Mining Practices in Kentucky A Comprehensive Analysis of Retreat Mining Operations in Kentucky including Regulations, Safety Practices, and Operator Reporting February 2006 Prepared by: MMMAAARRRSSSHHHAAALLLLLL MMMIIILLLLLLEEERRR &&& AAASSSSSSOOOCCCIIIAAATTTEEESSS,,, IIINNNCCC... Energy • Environmental • Engineering 5480 Swanton Drive Lexington, Kentucky 40509 (859) 263-2855 • FAX (859) 263-2839 Bluefield, VA / Lexington, KY / Ashland, VA / Raleigh, NC / Camp Hill, PA / Kingsport, TN / Charleston, WV Copyright Notice The Contents of this document are protected by Copyright © to Marshall Miller & Associates, Inc. (MM&A). This report was prepared for the use of Kentucky Department for Natural Resources (KYDNR). KYDNR may freely distribute this publication to the regulated community and to the general public by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise. No part of this publication may be otherwise reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of MM&A or KYDNR. Information contained in this work has been obtained by MM&A from sources believed to be reliable. However, neither MM&A nor the authors guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information published herein, and neither MM&A nor its authors shall be responsible for any errors, omissions, or damages arising out of the use of this information. This work is published with the understanding that MM&A and the authors are supplying information. Any statement or views presented herein are those of MM&A and the authors and are not necessarily those of KYDNR. The mention of trade names for commercial products does not imply the approval or endorsement of MM&A or KYDNR. Copyright © 2006 Marshall Miller & Associates, Inc. Printed in the United States of America. ii Executive Summary Introduction Kentucky suffered four mining fatalities between June 2004 and August 2005, during retreat mining operations in Eastern Kentucky mines. In response to these fatalities at mines practicing retreat mining in the Eastern Kentucky coal field, the Kentucky Department for Natural Resources (KYDNR) requested an independent study of retreat mining practices. The study was to review active mining operations to ensure that companies engaged in retreat mining are using the best technology currently available and that the current available employee training programs afford maximum safety to miners. Despite the fact that room-and-pillar mining is one of the oldest methods used for the extraction of coal, the nature of coal mining has changed in recent years. The mining of more difficult and more complex coal seams has brought about innovations in technology and equipment, where additional precaution, heightened safety awareness, and additional training are necessary to eliminate roof fall accidents that result in injury or the loss of life. In this study, the Researchers evaluated 34 coal mines in Eastern Kentucky that were actively conducting retreat mining operations. In Eastern Kentucky, it is estimated that there are over 100 mines with approved plans to conduct retreat mining, and these mines produce between 33 and 50 percent of the 52 million tons of underground coal mined each year. The importance of this production to the economy of the Commonwealth and the counties where it is mined is significant, and it must be mined safely. The Researchers have conducted and have completed the following tasks in evaluating the safety of current retreat mining practices: • Evaluated Current Retreat Mining Methods • Evaluated the Types and Effectiveness of Supplemental Support Equipment • Reviewed the Roof Control Plans of Active Mines iii Executive Summary - “Retreat Mining Practices in Kentucky” KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT FOR NATURAL RESOURCES February 2006 • Determined the Impact of Geologic Conditions • Evaluated Current Training Requirements • Evaluated Practical Methods to Maximize Safety • Reviewed Current Kentucky Statutes and Regulations for needed changes The Researchers recommend changes in the content and review of roof control plans to identify geological conditions and operating practices that require additional safety during retreat mining, and in task training requirements to address the changes that have occurred in the industry and to raise awareness and training of miners to a higher level that will improve safety. Based upon nature of these recommendations, the Researchers believe that these implementations can be accomplished within the current administrative regulations, and believe no legislative action is required. The recommendations detailed in Part 8.4 of this report are summarized below, and are grouped into three categories: changes to the roof control plan, changes to the amount of geological information required, and changes in the training and retraining of miners. 1. Changes to Roof Control Plans • Minimize Workers Near the Active Pillar Line Minimizing the number of personnel near the active pillar line should be a primary goal in the review and approval of all retreat mining plans. The use of mobile roof support (MRS) units, where height permits, should be encouraged to move equipment operators away from the active pillar line and to remain under supported roof. • Coordinate MSHA and State Plans Complete implementation of a dual review and approval of the roof control plans by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the Kentucky Office of Mine Safety and Licensing (KYOMSL). This will eliminate the need for mine operators obtaining separate approvals of roof control and retreat mining plans from two agencies and eliminate the potential conflict of having two different plans. iv Executive Summary - “Retreat Mining Practices in Kentucky” KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT FOR NATURAL RESOURCES February 2006 • Require ARMPS Calculations in Roof Control Plans Require roof control plans to report pillar safety factors and the National Institute for Occupational Safety Health (NIOSH) Analysis of Retreat Mining Pillar Stability (ARMPS) safety factors in all retreat mining plans. Pillar strength and roof stability are directly related and should be considered in establishing a retreat mining program, and ARMPS is critical in establishing the stability of any retreat mining configuration. • Acquire Additional Information on Over/Under Seam Mining Of the 34 currently active Kentucky retreat mining plans reviewed, 10 mines had abandoned or inactive mines less than 200 feet above or below the proposed retreat mining plan. The plans should include additional geological assessment of the intermediate strata when abandoned or inactive mines are within a specified interval. In addition, mine operators should provide interval contours to the overlying or underlying mine works when abandoned or inactive mines are within a specified interval. A definitive interval or interval criteria to initiate such additional reviews has not been defined due to a lack of research information on the topic. MM&A would recommend a minimum interval of 100 feet or 20 percent of the overburden depth as possible criteria for additional geology, mapping, and technical reviews. • Increase Requirements When Mining Includes the Pushout Stump As demonstrated in some of the convergence studies presented herein, removal of the pushout stump exposes the intersection adjacent to the pushout stump to a broader spectrum of roof impacts than any other retreat mining practice or pillar lift. The decision to mine or leave the pushout stump is a function of the roof geology, roof lithology, retreat mining method, primary roof support, and extraction sequence. The minimum size of the pushout stump should be established, and its size should be enforced by requiring all operators to measure and mark the length of the stump on its exposed side in the intersection. Mine operators should define the immediate roof geology and install supplemental supports in the intersection, specifically when there is a lack of strong rocks in the immediate roof. • Allow Variations in Supplemental Support Allowing the use of cable bolts as breaker posts provides greater visibility and freedom of access into and away from the pillar line. v Executive Summary - “Retreat Mining Practices in Kentucky” KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT FOR NATURAL RESOURCES February 2006 • Restrict Equipment Operators on MRS Units All plans should include the provision that designates a single operator of all MRS units operated inby the pillar line. Once an MRS unit is moved outby the pillar