How to Predict Coal Mine Roof Conditions Before Mining

Roof control comprises about 35% of direct and indirect underground mining costs. In addition, difficulties in estimating roof control costs for new areas lead to the greatest uncertainties when negotiating coal contracts. And obviously, coal cannot be mined if the roof can't be held. Accordingly, there are strong incentives to attack this problem on as many fronts as possible. One successful geological modeling technique for predicting future roof conditions was recently applied at Peabody Coal's Simco mine No. 5, located in Coshocton, Ohio. Benefits derived from it included: - A better identification of areas where poor safety conditions may be encountered. - Improved roof control cost estimates for contract negotiations. - Estimates of time-duration while mining in bad roof areas. - Labor and materials cost predictions in an existing mine. - Productivity increases through prior knowledge of areas to avoid.