What is Longwall Mining?
Longwall coal mining is a highly-productive method of extracting coal from underground mines. This method involves using a machine called a "longwall shearer," which is a large machine that cuts away a rectangular panel of coal in a single pass. As the machine advances, the panel of coal is cut away and transported to the surface. Longwall mining is seen as a safer and more efficient alternative to traditional "bord-and-pillar" methods of coal mining, which involve excavating rooms in the coal seam and leaving pillars of coal to support the roof. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at longwall mining, including its history, the equipment used, and some of the innovative variations of the mining method adopted in the mining industry.