State-of-art vis-a-vis Indian scenario of application of continuous miner based mass production technology

Underground coal mining in India has slipped its place of prominence due to its low production and productivity. Technological vacuum is, undoubtedly, the main reason behind this scenario. The Indian mining industry is starving to have suitable technologies to counter the low productivity problem from the conventional depillaring technologies. In India, underground coal production by formation of pillars is found suitable because of low capital investment and involvement of trivial technical expertise and liberal approach of Indian coal mines regulations. In fact; considerably large numbers of coal seams are standing on pillars and needs suitable underground mining technology for its safe and economic final extraction. But the industry is facing serious techno-economic challenges during extraction of this developed coal seams. Further, the changing policies of the government are making the competition global. India’s first mass productive continuous miner depillaring panel at Anjan Hill mine of South Eastern Coalfields Ltd. (SECL) has shown the direction to tackle the low production and productivity problem as well as the problem of suitable method for extraction of standing pillars of underground coal mining. But, sporadic application of the technology will not solve the technological vacuum of Indian coalfields. A detailed study is required to be taken up indigenously for the large-scale application of the continuous miner technology in Indian for extraction of developed as well as virgin coal seams. This paper presents a brief review of continuous miner technology applied worldwide including experience of first application of the technology in India along with the benefits of its application and required studies and steps to be taken up for its large scale application in Indian coalfields