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Longwall mining is an underground mining technique that has been a preferred method for extracting coal from beneath the earth’s surface since the 17th century. The process entails using specialized equipment to slice off large panels of coal that can measure up to 1,500 feet wide and two miles long.

As with most industries these days, the technology used in mining continues to evolve. These advancements have significantly impacted many areas of the longwall mining process, including safety, productivity and environmental sustainability. Mining companies must consider several factors when incorporating technologies into their operations.

Safety Advances in Mining Technology

For decades, underground mining has been regarded as one of the most dangerous occupations. Innovations in areas such as communication, automation, training and even personal protective equipment (PPE) are contributing to safer work environments for miners. Examples include:

• Job site simulators: The difficulty in replicating an underground mining environment used to mean that the only way to train new miners was on the job. Now, companies have simulators that can prepare new hires for their working conditions in a safe setting. For instance, trainees can use simulation to learn how to operate heavy equipment such as excavators and off-highway trucks in much the same way commercial airline pilots learn how to fly jet aircraft safely in bad weather.
• Radio-frequency identification: Keeping track of workers in mines used to require manual headcounts. Access to high-quality, reliable RFID mining technology now enables supervisors to pinpoint the miners’ whereabouts in real time and trace their movements. This ability makes it possible to notify workers who are unknowingly about to venture into a dangerous area.
• Smart helmets: Miners will soon be able to wear helmets equipped with technology that detects carbon monoxide and relays alerts if CO levels are too high.
• Self-driving vehicles: Automated vehicles can access dangerous areas without human operators. They can also reduce incidents of driver errors resulting from fatigue and heat exposure.

How Mining Technology Can Boost Productivity

Getting the coal out of the ground as quickly and efficiently as possible has always been a primary focus in any longwall mining operation. Some recent advancements that can speed up the process include:

• Smart sensors: Mining equipment and vehicles such as shearers, armored face conveyors and plows take a beating. Regular preventive maintenance is essential for keeping them on the job and maximizing productivity. Machines with smart sensors provide real-time access to performance and condition data that enables fleet managers to intervene and take corrective measures before mechanical breakdowns occur.
• Robotics: The advent of artificial intelligence has paved the way for using robots in various mining applications. Specifically, the use of teleremote and assisted-control equipment has increased performance in hauling and drilling tasks. The cost of robots continues to decline as well, making them a more practical and affordable solution for many mining operations.
• Equipment improvements: Leading longwall equipment manufacturers like Caterpillar are continually upgrading their machines with advanced technologies that save time and increase operator comfort. The result is faster project completion times and improved job site efficiency.

Mining Technology Can Enhance Environmental Sustainability

The coal mining industry is notorious for being unfriendly and even hazardous to the environment. Innovations in “green” technology are helping to improve this unsavory reputation by protecting rather than damaging the environment.

Environmentally sustainable mining practices typically revolve around minimizing human activities that adversely impact the planet. A primary focus is on reducing carbon emissions by transitioning to low-carbon technologies like solar and wind power where possible and practical. Conservation is another consideration. Technology helps to accomplish this by providing access to more eco-friendly waste management procedures at the job site.

Thanks to the modern technology used in mining, many operations are able to take steps that make a positive environmental impact:

• Transitioning to mining sites with on-site natural gas-fueled heat and power plants and equipment, or the implementation of electrically powered and automated robotic equipment
• Reducing on-site freshwater consumption by recycling wastewater
• Removing and recycling water from mine tailings to create a layered paste that minimizes environmental impact
• Instituting flue gas treatment plants that reduce the emission of carbon dioxide and other harmful chemicals
• Using vehicles that operate on solar power instead of carbon-emitting fossil fuels

Considerations When Implementing New Mining Technologies

Incorporating present and future mining technology can be challenging, but it’s necessary for companies that want to remain viable in the coming years. Collaboration is essential in any successful implementation. The following entities can aid mining operations in the transition process:

• Colleges/universities: These institutions provide access to research that sheds more light on technological innovations, particularly how they will impact mining operations in the future. Companies can use the data to guide their decision-making processes.
• Government: Some federal and state government agencies offer tax incentives to switch to green energy technologies. Mining companies can take advantage of these to reduce their equipment acquisition and implementation costs.
• Suppliers: Businesses that supply equipment, machinery and other essential resources to mining operations may provide innovative offers and solutions that ease the transition and save money.
• Buyers: Customers who purchase mined coal may have specific needs mining companies can fulfill with upgraded technologies.

Contact Cleveland Brothers to Learn More About Mining Technology

At Cleveland Brothers, we stay abreast of the latest developments and innovations that impact the technology used in mining in Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia. We offer a wide variety of advanced longwall mining equipment for sale or rent that will increase your productivity, create a safer workplace for your employees and allow you to become a better steward of the environment.

We invite you to contact us to explore all your mining equipment options today. We’ll also provide our insights into present and future mining technology and how it affects your business.

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