Hydraulic coal mining is a variation of deep mining in which the coal is removed from the seam by means of a powerful jet of water. Hydraulic mining eliminates the need for hand excavation and the costly labour associated with it. It is also more efficient than traditional deep mining techniques, allowing for a larger volume of coal to be extracted in a shorter amount of time.
Hydraulic mining was first developed in the early 19th century as a way to access coal that was too deep to be mined using traditional surface mining techniques. The process involves the use of hydraulic jets to break up the coal seam, which is then transported to the surface by conveyor belts or pipes. The procedure is relatively safe, as long as proper safety precautions are taken.
Hydraulic mining is generally used in high-seam coal mines, as it requires using high pressure water to break up the coal seam. The process can be used in any terrain and is best suited to areas that have a high concentration of easily mined coal.
To use hydraulic mining, a water jet must be directed at the coal seam from a distance of 200m to 400m away. The pressure of the jet must be between 1,000 to 4,000 psi, and the nozzle size will depend on the size of the coal seam being mined. As the pressure of the jet increases, the amount of coal removed from the seam will also increase.
Hydraulic mining is more efficient than traditional deep mining methods. It can safely extract more coal from the seam in less time, and the size of the pieces of coal extracted is often quite large. The use of hydraulic mining can also help reduce the amount of air pollution that is produced by traditional deep coal mining, as fewer miners have to be employed to operate the machine.
Hydraulic mining can be used in combination with other methods of coal extraction. For example, it can be used to break up large chunks of coal which can then be removed from the seam using traditional methods. This process is known as ‘blasting’ and has been used for centuries to break up and extract coal from seams.
However, there are some drawbacks to hydraulic mining. The pressure of the jet can cause structural damage to the surrounding area and can create dust. This risk can be minimized by using the proper safety protocols and proper maintenance of the machine. The process also requires a large amount of water, which can lead to water shortages in nearby areas.
Despite these drawbacks, hydraulic mining is an effective and efficient way to extract coal. It can be used in combination with other mining methods, and can safely and quickly extract large volumes of coal from seams that are too deep to be mined using traditional surface mining techniques.
