A. S. Tanaino

Interaction of geomechanical and physicochemical processes in Kuzbass coal

The paper presents laboratory and in situ research data on interaction of geomechanical and physicochemical processes in Kuzbass coal of various ranks, considering temperature effect. Under analysis is the relation of stress-strain state, temperature and infrared radiation of coal. The authors study the role of temperature and microstructure of coal in energy and mass exchange processes (variation of mass, volatile yield, specific surface, internal energy of methane adsorption capacity decrease and moisture content). Interrelation of outburst hazard and fire hazard in coal is discussed from the viewpoint of uniform stagewise thermomechanics and thermochemistry of coal behavior in the course of coal formation and extraction. The article introduces a generalized factor for quantitative description of petrographic properties of coal. Using this factor, the authors classify and describe petrographic groups of Kuzbass coal.

Problems of Open Coal Mining in Russia

The problems arisen in open coal mining by the early 1990s are considered. The structure of productive capacity arrangement, relations between the reserves and the intensity of their mining, quality of produced coals, as well as resource-intensity and replacement of technological machine stock are studied.

Structural and Strength Properties of Overburden Rocks of Coal Deposits in the Problems of Open-Pit Mining Technologies. Part I: Creation of Data Base

A procedure is proposed for creating the computer data base of structural and strength properties of enclosing rocks of coal deposits with respect to lithologic layers using the regularities of association with geological and genetic signs. The data base is formed at the stage of designing the open-pits for the purpose of constructing the spatial models of the rock mass and separating the overburden stratum into benches.

Rock abrasiveness testing

The problem of rock abrasiveness testing consists in the incompatibility of data obtained using different methods. To this effect, the author offers a method for qualitative evaluation of potential abrasiveness of rocks using their physico-mechanical properties arranged on the canonical scale of structure-and-hierarchy representation.

Method and means to estimate porosity distribution on the surface of polished section of coal

The method is based on transcapillary penetration of fluorescent fluid (EpoDye colorant) in the finest cavities and flaws on the surface of polished sections. Luminophor-filed voids become visible under UV light and optical microscope. The voids are estimated with respect to their kinds, sizes and area. The estimates and the statistical property of void distribution are described.

Monitoring opencast operations with the use of laser systems

Results are presented or the first stage of the use of laser systems in coal opencasts to determine the “rock-coal” contact boundaries in the rock mass, as well as to create systems that will automatically update databases on the spatial position of workings in order to calculate the volumes of rock that have been moved.