Lesson 4: Underground Mining Identification Flashcards
This underground mining method involves mechanized systems that shear coal from a panel using a shearer and hydraulic roof supports. The roof behind the shearer is allowed to collapse in a controlled manner.
Longwall Mining
In longwall mining, the coal extraction is planned along a specific area known as a ________, which is usually around 3000 meters long and 250 meters wide.
Panel
This component of longwall mining consists of mechanized supports that hold the roof up as the shearer advances, then allow the roof to collapse behind them.
Hydraulic roof supports (self-advancing hydraulic roof supports)
Which mining technique leaves large blocks of ore to support the roof in a grid pattern, while the surrounding material is extracted, leading to low recovery rates?
Room and Pillar Mining
In which underground mining method are the coal pillars removed at the farthest point from the mine access, allowing the roof to collapse as the miners retreat?
Retreat Mining
The build-up of methane gas in an underground mine is called ________ and poses a significant explosion risk.
Fire damp
In mining terminology, what is the process of removing the ore body while leaving some of it in place to support the roof, commonly used in shallow coal seams?
Room and Pillar Mining
Which method is used for deep mining but is less common than longwall mining and involves shearing coal panels with continuous miners and moveable roof supports?
Shortwall Mining
Name the gas mixture that forms in underground mines from a combination of carbon dioxide and nitrogen, leading to suffocation due to oxygen depletion.
Black damp
This older mining method involves breaking up the coal seam using explosives and accounts for less than 5% of underground coal production today.
Blast Mining
What type of hazardous gas in underground mining consists primarily of methane and can cause explosions at concentrations between 5% and 15%?
Methane (Fire damp)
Identify the name of the disease caused by long-term exposure to coal dust, characterized by the buildup of dust in the lungs.
Pneumoconiosis (Black lung disease)
What mining method is most suitable for flat-lying, shallow seams where the ore is extracted in a grid pattern, leaving behind large pillars for support?
Room and Pillar Mining
In underground mining, which process allows for greater ore recovery by removing support pillars in a controlled manner and letting the roof collapse?
Retreat Mining
What term is used to describe a post-explosion hazard in coal mines that consists of a mixture of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen?
After damp
This gas is responsible for causing suffocation in underground mines due to the depletion of oxygen and results from corrosion in confined spaces.
Black damp
In longwall mining, coal is cut and transported out of the mine using what mechanized system?
Conveyor system
What mining method is commonly referred to as continuous mining because of its mechanized nature and the use of machines to shear, transport, and support the ore body?
Room and Pillar Mining
This underground mining hazard consists of a toxic gas with the chemical formula H₂S, known for its characteristic rotten egg smell.
Stink damp (Hydrogen sulfide)
What is the maximum safe concentration range for methane in an underground coal mine to prevent the risk of explosion?
5% to 15%
In what type of mining is a series of parallel tunnels (gate roads) constructed to allow the mechanized shearer to extract long panels of coal?
Longwall Mining
What is the mining term for the spontaneous combustion of coal or other organic materials, often leading to underground fires?
Spontaneous combustion
This type of mining is particularly prone to subsidence due to the removal of support pillars, causing the ground above to collapse.
Room and Pillar Mining (with retreat mining)
What piece of equipment in longwall mining moves continuously along the coal face to shear the coal and transfer it to conveyors?
Shearer
Name the toxic gas found in coal mines that forms after a mine explosion and can cause asphyxiation.
After damp
This method leaves a grid-like pattern of ore in place to support the roof and is often used in shallow coal deposits.
Room and Pillar Mining
Identify the mining method in which coal is cut mechanically and transported away from the face using a conveyor system.
Longwall Mining
What safety measure in underground mining involves monitoring and controlling the buildup of dangerous gases, especially methane and carbon monoxide?
Gas monitoring systems
In longwall mining, the roof is allowed to collapse in a controlled manner behind what mechanized component of the mining system?
Hydraulic roof supports
In underground coal mining, this continuous mining machine is used to cut and remove coal from the working face, typically operating with minimal manual intervention.
Continuous Miner
What type of coal mining method uses self-advancing hydraulic roof supports and a continuous shearer to extract coal from a panel?
Longwall Mining
Which gas mixture in underground mining, known for its asphyxiating properties, is composed mainly of nitrogen and carbon dioxide?
Black damp
Name the mining method where coal panels up to 200 feet wide are sheared off by a continuous mining machine with moveable roof supports.
Shortwall Mining
In the context of mining, what is the term for a vertical or near-vertical shaft used to extract minerals from deep underground?
Shaft
What term describes the natural settling or collapse of the ground above an underground mine after the extraction of minerals?
Subsidence
Which type of mining damp consists of carbon monoxide and is responsible for poisoning miners after a mine explosion?
After damp
Identify the mining term for a series of support pillars left in place during extraction, which are later removed in retreat mining.
Pillars
This type of mining system relies on continuous extraction of ore with machines, without the need for manual drilling or blasting.
Continuous Mining
What term is used for the conveyor system that runs parallel to the coal face in longwall mining and transports the extracted coal out of the mine?
Conveyor system
Which gas, composed of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen, forms after a mine explosion and poses significant health risks?
After damp
Name the mining method that leaves large columns of ore behind to support the roof while the surrounding ore is mined.
Room and Pillar Mining
What hazardous underground mining condition results from the spontaneous combustion of coal, often leading to fires?
Spontaneous combustion
In longwall mining, the continuous extraction of ore is achieved using what type of mechanized cutting device?
Shearer
Identify the term for the toxic gas produced by the breakdown of organic materials in mines, which is often mistaken for steam or vapor.
Damp (White damp for carbon monoxide)
What mining term describes the controlled collapse of the roof behind the working face in longwall mining operations?
Controlled collapse (Caving)
Name the continuous mining machine that shears coal from the panel in longwall mining operations.
Shearer
This underground mining hazard is formed when hydrogen sulfide gas accumulates, posing a toxic risk to miners.
Stink damp (Hydrogen sulfide)
What term refers to the vertical shafts or tunnels used to transport workers and ore in and out of deep underground mines?
Shaft
In room and pillar mining, what is the name of the large columns of ore left behind to support the ceiling?
Pillars
What process in underground mining allows for greater recovery of ore by removing support pillars and letting the roof collapse behind the miners?
Retreat Mining
Identify the underground mining technique that involves shearing panels of coal with a continuous miner, while the roof is supported by hydraulic systems.
Longwall Mining
This gas, a byproduct of spontaneous combustion in mines, is highly toxic and smells like rotten eggs.
Stink damp (Hydrogen sulfide)
What type of damp, formed from carbon monoxide, can cause suffocation after a mine explosion?
After damp
Name the method of mining where a vertical shaft is sunk to access minerals located deep underground.
Shaft mining
What mining hazard involves the buildup of flammable methane gas in an enclosed space, leading to a risk of explosion?
Fire damp
Identify the component of longwall mining that is responsible for cutting and transporting the coal from the face of the seam.
Shearer
This underground mining method uses large self-advancing hydraulic supports and a continuous shearer to extract coal.
Longwall Mining
In underground mining, which term describes the mixture of carbon dioxide and nitrogen that depletes oxygen levels, leading to suffocation?
Black damp
Name the mining method where coal seams are sheared with a continuous miner, and the roof collapses behind the equipment as it moves forward.
Longwall Mining
This type of mining utilizes explosives to break up the coal seam and is seldom used today due to the risks associated with it.
Blast Mining
What mining term describes the collapse of the roof in a controlled manner after ore extraction has been completed?
Controlled collapse (Caving)
Which mining technique involves continuous extraction of ore using machines, with minimal manual labor involved in the cutting and transport processes?
Continuous Mining
In longwall mining, what device is responsible for transferring the coal from the face to the conveyor belt?
Conveyor system
What mining method leaves large, grid-like columns of ore to support the roof, typically used in shallow ore bodies?
Room and Pillar Mining
Name the hazardous gas mixture that forms after a mine explosion and consists of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
After damp
In underground mining, what is the term for the explosive concentration of methane gas, which can ignite if exposed to a spark or flame?
Fire damp
This term refers to the removal of pillars from room and pillar mining, leading to the collapse of the roof behind the miners.
