Proposed Coal Pillaring Procedure Using Concrete Containing Coal Refuse (Coal-Crete) (3a32dc52-d669-4346-8678-497add39ba3f)

This paper addresses a process by which both the disposal and utilization of preparation plant coal refuse can be simultaneously accomplished with an attendant benefit of significantly increasing the percentage of extractable coal. A laboratory study is described in which coal refuse was successfully utilized as an aggregate in low cost concrete (coal-crete) mixes under simulated mine environments. Coal-crete specimens with compressive strengths of 14,000 kPa (2,000 psi) were consistently produced. A construction sequence and mining plans are offered for placing the low-cost coal-crete pillars in accessible areas in room-and-pillar mines so that a Substantial portion of the remaining coal pillars could be extracted. The method could be applicable in areas where mining procedures do not permit pillar extraction because of possible surface subsidence, roof problems, or other conditions. Possible structural difficulties with the coal-crete pillar support system are discussed. Using a discounted cash flow analysis, the economic feasibility of mining with the coal-crete pillar system is investigated. The cost of the coal-crete pillar system is compared to the cost of a mining system which would have less coal recovery. The analysis indicates that although at higher coal selling prices the coal-crete mining system may yield an acceptable rate of return, the alternative of leaving the coal pillars is more attractive at the present time.