Dragline Stripping Method Review to Maximize Productivity and Coal Recovery at Major Fault Zone - A Case Study
Abstract Strategic mine planning is substantial to ensure maximum coal recovery across severely faulted geological conditions with predicted below water table excavation. An optimum plan would improve multiple engineering constraints to deliver high recovery with safety and best possible efficiency of machineries deployed at the problematic area. One such case is of Southern pit at Sasan coal mine, India with fault throw varying from 3m to 40m through a series of parallel merging faults located closely within strike length of 800m. It has challenged the mine for better coal recovery, machine performance and scheduled pit progression over recent corner strips. This paper describes how the mine has overcome complexities of operating in the fault area with localised consistent water seepage. It discusses new pre-strip parameters adopted to enhance dragline productivity, preparation of stable dragline operating bench under given bottom wet overburden conditions, and coal extraction plan which has been incorporated together with dragline stripping plan to improve recovery at the area of study. Several aspects of process have been highlighted during implementation, such as requirement of early dewatering setup for dragline low-wall stability and coal roof cleaning.