Adriyala Longwall Project – A Breakthrough in Hibernating Period of Indian Longwall Mining

Abstract

India’s proclivity with mechanized longwall started in Moonidih Colliery in 1978. Subsequently 33 longwall faces were introduced with overseas collaboration. The longwall production peaked up to 2.3 Mt in the year 1996-97. But later it went a steep decline and by 2008 with only three or four longwalls were in operation. Then after the longwall technology went through a hibernating phase with only two operating longwalls were in 2013. The reasons for this down trend are the selection of under rated powered roof supports, strata management issues, spares management issues, lack of indigenous manufacturing facilities and less than adequate trained man power etc. [1,2]. The need to curb this undesirable trend was recognized by Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), India making attempt to introduce a high capacity longwall, gave Adriyala longwall project. The impetus for the construction of high-end longwall was to increase the share of underground coal production and to explore the deeper deposits with high productivity.

This paper explores the construction, ongoing operations and the challenges faced at India's highest capacity longwall project. A brief review on various aspects in constructing the project right from the exploration stage to outbye belt laying and panel preparation is given followed by the operations in I and II longwall panels.