Computer Uses For Coal Mine Engineering And Geology ? Introduction

In recent years a number of data processing and analytical techniques have proven to be useful to engineers and geologists in various segments of the mineral industries. Petroleum companies were among the first to utilize the computer to store well data files and to analyze that data for exploration purposes. A few years later, metal mining companies began to apply the same basic computer methods to problems in mineral exploration, ore reserve evaluation, and open pit mine planning. Because of the increasing complexity of planning for coal mines and land reclamation, a case study was undertaken to evaluate the usefulness of computer techniques to assist mining engineers and geologists in mapping coal deposits, evaluating coal reserves, strip mine planning and land management. The data used in the study was provided by the Illinois State Geologic Survey. This paper describes some of the results of that study. First, considerations for the development of a computer data base for coal deposits are presented. Next, a series of analytical techniques for processing the data is described. Finally, the case study is presented to illustrate how the coal data base and the analytical techniques could be used in actual practice.