Strategies to Improve Operations in a Complex Underground Project

Abstract

Mining is the most dangerous peacetime profession in the world, so safe and productive technology is needed for viability. Underground mining sustainability is on the wane, because of environment, ventilation, support legislations resulting in poor productivity. Longwall mining is a highly productive underground coal mining technique, provided very large area with undisturbed roof is available. Being highly capital-intensive Longwall Power Supports System (LWPS) as well as Continuous Miner System require project and operation management to be inter-linked. Jhanjra mine of ECL, a subsidiary of Coal India Ltd was started and target production of coal was slipping, and critical studies were made by the authors. Although, Coal India is in Public Sector, private shareholders have invested, and so business viability is needed. Operation management and monitoring of the project was done over a year and critical appraisal is presented based on investigations.