PROSIDING TPT XX\/I PERII \PI ](II-

Coal Conservation Bv Auger \lining Nlethod

Marsono Yusuf

PT Indo Tarnb angraya lMe.-.ealt

Background
Augermining is one mining method for additional coal reserve from the final highwall of open
cut mine. This method is more simple than highwall mining method. Auger Mining allows to
recovering coal from final highwall position which uneconomic due to high stripping ratio, or
in areas where coal under the surface area has blocked by infrastructure, watercourses, or other
feature.

Auger mining is more tolerant of adverse geotechnical conditions than highwall mining. For
instance, roof conditions are generally not an issue for auger mining as it can tolerate almost all
roof conditions. This is because an auger creates circular holes which are inherently more stable
than rectangular entries created by highwall mining and do not expose an unsupported span in
the conventional sense.

The coal price declining challenge the company to find a lot of ways to reduce the operating
cost. The practicing of lower skipping ratio will reducing the operating cost in short term
effectively, but in long term the company lost the coal reserves in significant amount. Auger
mining systern is once the answer to recover the coal reserves in highwall before back filled.
This alternatives system will support the coal reserves conservation program by government
and in the same time company will gain benefits from its low operating cost (approximately
$19-$20lton).

A disadvantage of auger mining is its limited penetration distance (<300 m) and relatively low
production capacity. HoweveE due to its tolerance of bad roof and floor conditions, auger
mining tlpically achieves the designed penetration distance more consistently. The
disadvantage of the short penetration distance can be compensated to some degree by the
consistency.

The cutting action of auger differ from continuous highwall miner. The auger exploits lower
tensile strength of coal rather than overcome the high compressive strength of coal. This make
the auger more efficient in term of the power needed to cut the coal. The auger performance
principally governed by two main factors, machine power and cutter head diameter. The greater
the power available will make the deeper penetration and consequently will improve the mining
recovery. Also, the cutter head diameter should be optimized with the coal thickness on the
ground.

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Figure 1.1

Auger Operation

Figure 1.3

The Completion of Auger Holes

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Summary Analysis

2.1 Introduction

Rock at depth is subjected to stresses resulting from the u'eight of the overlying strata and from
locked in stresses of tectonic origin. When an opening is excar.ated in this rock, the stress field
is locally disrupted and a new set of stresses are induced in the rock surrounding the opening.
Knowledge of the magnitudes and directions of these in situ and induced stresses is an
essential component of auger excavation design since, in rnany cases, the strength of the
rock is exceeded and the resulting instability can have serious consequences on the behavior
of the excavations.

In Situ/Vertical Stresses

Consider an element of rock at a depth of 1,000 m below the surface. The weight of the vertical
column of rock resting on this elementis the product of the depth and the unit weight of the
overlying rock mass (typically about 2.3tlm3).

Hence, the vertical stress on the element is 2,300Um3 or 23 MPa. This stress is estimated from
the simple relationship:

ov:y z
where ov : is the in situ/vertical stress
y : is the unit weight of the overlying rock and
z : is the depth below surfbce.

Ilorizontal Stresses

The horizontal stresses acting on an element of rock at a depth z below the surface are much more
difficult to estimate than the in situ stresses. Normally, the ratio of the average horizontal stress to the
vertical stress is denoted by the letter & such that:

os: kou:lcyz
thevalue of kis independent of depth and is given by:

k-vl(1 -v)
where v : is the Poisson's ratio of the rock mass

Induced Stresses

Before the auger holes is excavated, the in situ stresses (orl and the horizontal stresses
(oHr,oHz) are uniformly distributed in the slice of rock under consideration. When an auger
opening is excavated into a stressed rock mass, the stresses in the suffounding of the new

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opening are re-distributed. After removal of the rock tiorn u ithin the auger holes, the stresses
in the immediate surrounding of the auger holes are changed and neu, stresses are induced.
Three principal stresses ol. o.2. and or acting on a typical elernent of rock are shown in Figure
below.

''t'"""".
.,.."'.f

l*: :*:iiirlf:i.Ji:;,iiiilf,:r+:i,l:f:i l+i€i-:ii.L i:i.tEti;rr++ f? p.*,t

.;

1.
\n.
,lJ,

+;i
ffi
B#
t,
1,..,n ;{p?
. I:Zfi $
...:.i:i..- ..i! ,:, ,
,n -1.:w:
,tB.

.w.,
il
ffi
,fi

r(

ii
,tt
s

Figure 3.1
t

Induced Principal Stresses in an Element of Rock

fi
rt

The convention used in rock engineering is that compressive stresses are always positive iI

and the three principal stresses are numbered such that or is the largest compressive stress
ando3is the smallest compressive sfress or the largest tensilestressofthethree.

2.2 Aager Geotechnical Studies

Geotechnically, auger mining is more tolerant of adverse geotechnical conditions than
Continuous Highwall Mining (CHM). For instance, roof conditions are generally not an issue
for auger mining as it can tolerate almost all roof conditions. This is because an auger creates
circular holes which are inherently more stable than the rectangular entries created by CHM
and do not expose an unsupported span in the conventional sense.

Before entering to further geotechnical studies, the below picture explain some 'term' which is
usually used for coal auger mining.

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* ,..
*

rl l'-irit'l
:.:::

t trf;r: *'' t & tl Ir,,r Y*...

Figure 3.2

'Term' in Coal Auger Mining

It will be necessary that the geotechnical studies should identiff, in particular to:

1. Bulk Strength of CoalWebs (Coal Pillars)

It has indicated that coal pillar needs to be determined on a case by case basis, with the nature
of roof and floor contacts being vital. It is essential to have a good understanding of mass "in
situ" coal strength. The influence of structure zones, joint, and cleat frequency within the coal
are relevant factors in estimating mass "in sifu" coal strength.

It is recommended, "in situ" coal strength should be used for coal pillar strength'
The following values of coal web strength are recorlmended for use in design.

This is accepted as best practice.

Table 3.1

Estimate the Coal Pillar Strength

D.l
':.:'.':::..L
II 4 f, ffrll:,i:,. ..i !,...,,.,.:.::,,' .:,,',",,,,:,
:.:.:::.:::':'::::::::1.:.:'.::r:::::':.:::::::::':.:.'i:::'::j::::.:.::'.'::.::,:i:,,:ir::!
Cori,Pitiii,.,S
Strong coal, strong contact 6.0

Strong coal, weak contact 5.1

Weak coal, strong contact 3.6

Weak coal, weak contact 3.1

Source: The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO)

Generally, these above geotechnical data are representative to describe the characteristic of coal
compressive strength at Indonesia.

2. Safety Factors for Coal Pillars.

The calculation of Safety Factors (SF) requires an estimate of strata load acting upon coal
pillars. Load should be determined at the maximum depth for the proposed design layout.

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Recommendation frorn cSIRo, where a reliable suiclance srstcrr.r is eutployed on the auger
mining, a Safety Factor of 1.3 as a minimum should be used.

where no reliable guidance system is employed on the auger mining. a Safety Factor of 1 .6 as
a minimum should be used.

The formula to determine the Safety Factor is as follolr':

i "" " ""'
:
:
i ( iii+l 5{lrrl*{t:l,r x l}iillirr' lf iillIr
i;*'$*f*tl, [rtl:ftl.rt'' =.-

:l
tr'$rt*-ftrl SI rrs,x tltr ilI:illirr

Where Coal strength :5 Mpa

Pillar width : 1.0rn (proposed design)
Vertical stress (or; : y z

y : rock density (2.3 tor*u-r)

z : height of highwall

3. Geological and Structural Factors.

Identifuing the geological and structural factors that may adversely impact upon pillar stability
thould be shongly considered. The presence of faults, dykes, r"u.r, .plittirrg, and stonl
intrusions may adversely impact upon coal pillars stability. These adverse influences will need
to be addressed in the design of coal pillar dimensions.

Auger Holes Configuration Necessary Across a Coal pillars

Consideration of the impacts of varying strata tlpes and varying depths of cover upon panel
widths and inter-panel barrier dimensions will be required.

An assessment of the unsupported holes between coal pillars must be made. This assessment
will need to consider the consequences on pillars stability should falls occur in the unsupported
holes.

The design of auger holes resulting in various extraction factors in different areas to provide
the required Safety Factors. The auger holes configuration depends on the Safety Factors at
different areas and it will results in different of recovery rates.

In the general circumstance, the following principle apply:

' The dimension of coal pillars is to be determined from the greatest depth.

Double Pass Augering is enabled where seam height permits some auger operations anploy
two rows of holes located directly over each other as shown in the figure below.

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Figure 3.4

Implementation of Double Pass Augering at Thick Seam

The Stability of the Immediate Highwall

Loose material falling from the highwall face presents ahazardto mine workers. Loose material
may be dislodged by natural processes or by the influence of strata response to auger mining.
OnL particul ar hazardrelates to persistence joints running parallel (or close to parallel) to the
high;ail face. Slope failures are possible in this circumstance. Suitable prevention and
protection measures are required to stabilize highwall slopes.

A common and very effective safety precaution employed to minimise the impact of rock falls
from a highwall face is to create "catch" benches along the face, above the operation.

Installation of "catch" benches is recommended for all new highwall/auger operations where
the higlrwall face exceeds 25 meter in height. ln existing operations mining without "catch"
benches may be considered provided altemate safety measures have been implemented
and a
conservative design approach for auger holes-coal pillars system has been adopted.

Conclusion

1. Auger Mining is 'save and proven technology' offering coal reserve conservation
which are technically:
. Cheap
'. Practicable
Productive.

Z. Govemment need to set up the regulation which state that coal mining company has
obligation to conserve the coal reserves at highwall. If technically

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