MEAI NOV 2010

Mining Engineers' Journal 3 November 2009

Shri V.D. Rajagopal Chairman

Prof. Dr. - Ing M.A. Ramlu Member

Prof. Sushil Bhandari Member

Shri S.V. Satyanarayana Member

Shri B.K. Mohanty Member

Shri Dipesh Dipu Member

Shri Suresh Chandra Member

Dr. A.K. Raina Member

Dr. K.K. Sharma Member

Shri A. Sangameswara Rao Member(A.S. Rao)

EDITORIAL BOARD

EDITOR

Dr. K.K. Sharma (Tel : 040 - 23517205)

PUBLISHER

Shri A. Sangameswara Rao(A.S. Rao)

Secretary General,

Mining Engineers' Association of India

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Editorial 05

News from the Mining World 06

From President's Desk 07

MEAI News 33

Conferences, Seminars, Workshops etc., 38

TECHNICAL PAPERS1. Coal bed methane - from a liability to an asset 12

- Dipesh Deepu

2. Successful delineation of hidden galleries in barriers of water logged

underground coal mines by Electrical Resistivity Survey method 15

- A.P. Singh & P.K. Gupta

3. Continuous miner technology for mass production of coal A global perspective 21

- Y.M.S.R. Murthy & Anshu Agarwal

4. Science and art of roof reinforcement technology and its efficacy in Indian coal mines 35

- N.P. Bhati

Vol. 11 No. 4 MONTHLY November - 2009

C O N T E N T SCoalSpecial


EX - OFFICIOIMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENTIMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENTIMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENTIMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENTIMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENTShri R.P. Gupta - 93529 50025Shri R.P. Gupta - 93529 50025Shri R.P. Gupta - 93529 50025Shri R.P. Gupta - 93529 50025Shri R.P. Gupta - 93529 50025PAST PRESIDENTSPAST PRESIDENTSPAST PRESIDENTSPAST PRESIDENTSPAST PRESIDENTSShri Meda Venkataiah - 99002 56797Shri R.N. Singh - 98190 89120Shri T.V. Chowdary - 99493 59969

ELECTEDProf. Sushil Bhandari - 98296 71949Shri Y.C. Gupta - 94142 34746Shri C.S. Dhaveji - 94220 63909Shri M. James - 94442 89405Shri Santosh K Pattanayak - 99370 53927Prof. Gurdeep Singh - 0326-2206372Shri S. Chandrasekaran - 94433 91000Shri B.R.V. Susheel Kumar - 98480 94373Shri D.L. ChoudhuryShri K. Madhusudhana - 99002 56759Shri M. Srinivasa ShettyShri K.U. Rao - 98491 77677Shri M.C. Thomas - 93345 11343Dr. T.N. Venugopal - 98452 17692Shri P. Dharma Rao - 040-23396691

NOMINATED MEMBERSShri. B. Ramesh Kumar - 98480 99868Shri S.N. Mathur - 94273 08502Shri V. Lakshmi Narayana - 94402 79811Shri C.P. Parihar - 98874 82007Shri Sohan Singh Rathore - 94141 59605

CO-OPTED MEMBERSShri N.K. Nanda - 94907 60010Prof. A.C. Narayana - 99896 25346Shri S. Tiu - 94386 73600Shri B. Ramasubba Reddy - 99496 06060Shri B.P. Pandey - 94482 86155

MINING ENGINEERS' ASSOCIATION OF INDIA

Regd. Office : Rungta House, Barbil (Orissa)

National Head Quarters & :Permanent Secretariat

Vice Presidents :

Dr. S.K. Sarangi - 94370 23134Shri A. Bagchhi - 99899 98600Shri T. Victor - 98221 23498

Secretary General :Shri A. Sangameswara Rao - 98498 70397(A.S. Rao)

Jt. Secy & Treasurer :Shri Koneru Venkateswara Rao - 92987 59625

Shri V.D. RajagopalMEAI - President

98491 22817, 94408 17700

COUNCIL MEMBERSCOUNCIL MEMBERSCOUNCIL MEMBERSCOUNCIL MEMBERSCOUNCIL MEMBERS

Chapter Chairman Secretary

Ahmedabad R.L. Bhatt S.G. Patel

Barajamda Arun Misra Shailesh Verma

Bailadila A.K. Gupta K.K. Basu

Bangalore R.H. Sawkar D.R. Veeranna

Belgaum M.P. Itnal Dr.P.T.Hanamgond

Bellary-Hospet D.Y. Mane Nagesh Shenoy

Bhubaneswar S.R. Singh J.K. Hota

Goa K.D. Kulkarni Kishore B. Haldankar

Himalayan Arun Sharma R.K. Sharma

Hyderabad A. Sivashanker A. Kundu

Jabalpur C.V. Singh -

Jodhpur V.S. Mathur P.R. Dave

Nagpur - M. K. Prasher

New Delhi Prof. B.B. Dhar D.K. Chawla

Rajasthan A.K.Kothari Dr. S.S. Rathore

Raipur S. Chakraborti P.Y. Dhekne

Rayalaseema P.V. Krishna Yadav S. Ramamoorthy

Sukinda Dr. Vinod P. Sinha H. Behera

Tamil Nadu Dr. L. Ajay Kumar K.B. Thondaiman

Veraval-Porbandar N.K. Nuwal Shiva Moorthy Swamy

PAST PRESIDENTS & SECRETARIES

Period President Secretary/Secretary General

Mining Engineers' Association1957-64 B.L. Verma Late B.N. Kanwar1964-67 N.S. Claire Late R.C. B. Srivastava1967-68 L.A. Hill Late S. Chandra1968-69 Late H.L. Chopra M.G. Jhingran1969-70 S.S. Manjrekar V.S. Rao1970-71 Late R.C.B. Srivastava M.G. Jhingran1971-72 R.K. Gandhi B. Roy Chowdhury1972-73 I.N. Marwaha D.D. Sharan1973-75 Late R.S. Sastry M.S. Vig1975-76 G.L. Tandon K.K. Biran

Mining Engineers' Association of India1975-76 G.L. Tandon K.K. Biran1976-78 D.L. Patni A.K. Basu1978-80 R.C. Mohanty Late S.K. De1980-81 M.K. Batra R.C. Dutta1981-82 D.K. Bose S.B. Mukherjee1982-84 P.R. Merh M.K. Srivastava1984-86 V.S. Rao L.S. Sinha1986-88 M.A.Khan D.K. Sen1988-90 Saligram Singh A. Panigrahi1990-93 M. Fasihuddin B. Mishra1993-95 K.K. Biran S. Chandrasekaran1995-97 N.S. Malliwal Dr. P.V. Rao1997-99 T.V. Chowdary CLVR Anjaneyulu (S.G.)

1999-2001 -do- -do-2001-2003 R.N. Singh -do-2003-2007 Meda Venkataiah -do-2007-2009 R.P. Gupta CLVR Anjaneyulu & A.S. Rao

Aarvee Associates, Architects,Engineers & Consultants Pvt. Ltd. (LIM-049)8-3-833/50, Phase-I, Kamlapuri Colony, Hyderabad-73.ACC Ltd (LIM - 25)Raw Materials & Mines Planning Division,ACC Thane Complex, LBS Marg,Thane - 400 604. (Maharashtra)A.P. Mineral Dev. Corp.Ltd., (LIM-12)Pancom Business Centre 2nd & 3rd Floors,8-3-945, Ameerpet, Hyderabad - 16, A.P.Aravali Minerals & Chemical Industries (P) Ltd.(LM-048)B-132, Mewar Industrial Pvt. Ltd.,Madri, Udaipur - 313 003.Associated Mining Co., (LIM-19)Nanak House, Narmada Nagar,Bilaspur - 495 001., ChhattisgarhAssociated Soapstone Distributing Co. (P) Ltd. (LM-057)24, Akashwani Marg,Post Box No. 3, Udaipur - 313 003.Bharat Alloys & Energy Ltd., (LIM-36)6-2-913/914, 3rd Floor, Progressive Towers,Khairatabad, Hyderabad - 500 004.M/s Designer Rocks (P) Ltd., (LIM-32)# 201, Archana Apartments,Behind Shoppers Stop, Begumpet, Hyderabad-05.Grasim Industries Ltd., (LIM-26)202 & 203, 2nd Floor, May Fair,S.P. Road, Secunderabad - 500 003.Gujarat Ambuja Cements Ltd., (LIM-3)Ambuja Nagar, Kodinar (Taluk)Junagadh (Dist.), Gujarat - 362 715Gujarat Heavy Chemicals Ltd., (LIM-6)Prakash Complex (P.O), Bomno. 28,Veraval - 362 265. GujaratGujarat Mineral Dev. Copr Ltd. (LIM-18)Kanij Bhavan, 132 Ft. Ring Road,University Ground, Vastrapur, Ahmedabad - 52.Gujarat Sidhee Cements Ltd., (LIM-4)Regd. Office, Sidheegram (P.O),Veraval-Kodinar Highway,Tal : Veraval, Dist. Junagadh, GujaratGulf Oil Corporation Ltd. (LIM-9)(Formerly IDL Industries Limited.)Kukatpally, Post Box No.1, Sanathnagar (IE) P.O.Hyderabad - 500 018. A.P.India Cements Ltd. (LIM-16)Sankarnagar (P.O) Tirunelveli - 627 357. T.NIndian Rare Earths Ltd., (LIM-35)Plot No. 1207, Veer Savarkar Marg,Prabhadevi, Mumbai - 400 028.J.K. Cement Works Ltd (LIM - 058)Kailash Nagar, Nimbahera,Dist. Chittorgarh (Rajasthan)Jubilee Granites India Pvt. Ltd., (LIM-23)EGA Trade Centre, No. 6C, 6th Floor,New No. 318 (Old No. 809), Poonamallee Highroad,Kilapauk, Chennai - 600 010.Kariganur Mineral Mining Industry (LIM-41)Embitee Complex, Bellary Road, Hospet - 583201.Kirloskar Ferrous Industries Ltd., (LIM-33)Bevinahalli 583 234, Dist. Koppal (Karnataka)Krishna Mines (LIM-27)23, Sri Puram, Tirunelveli - 627 001. TamilnaduMadras Cements Ltd., (LIM-17)Ramasamyraja Nagar,Kamarajar (Dist.) - 626 204, Tamilnadu.Manganese Ore (India) Ltd., (LIM-37)(A Govt. undertaking)3, Mount Road Extension, P.B. No. 34,Nagpur - 440 001. (Maharashtra)M.P.L. Parts & Services Ltd., (LIM-14)12, Dr. Nair Rd., T. NagarChennai - 600 017. Tamilnadu.MSPL Limited (LIM-30)Baldota Enclave, Abheraj Baldota Road,Hospet - 583 203 (Karnataka)Mysore Minerals Limited (LIM-45)#39, M.G. Road, Bangalore - 560 001.National Aluminium Co. Ltd, (LIM-1)'NALCO Bhavan'P/1, Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar - 751 013NMDC Ltd., (LIM-20)10-3-311/A, Castle Hills, Khanij Bhavan,Masab Tank, Hyderabad - 500 028.

LIFE INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERS

Contd. on page 3


Obulapuram Mining Co. (P) Ltd. (LIM-54)(Mine located in A.P.), Off.: Ennoble House,Raghavachari Road, Bellary, (Karnataka)Orient Cement (LIM-059)P.O. Devapur Cement Works,Dist. Adilabad (A.P.) - 504 218.Panduronga - Timblo Industries (LIM-056)Subhash Timblo Bhavan, P.O. Box No. 242,MARGAO-403601, GOA.Pearl Minerals Ltd., (LIM-39)R.L. Puram, Chimakurthy Mandal,Prakasham Dist. - 523 226. (A.P.)Priyadarshini Cement Ltd., (LIM-5)No. 34, Green Tower, Srinagar Colony, Hyderabad-73.Radials International (LIM-29)80/1, Block-II, W.H.S.,Kirti Nagar, New Delhi - 110 015,Rajgarhia Group of Industries (LIM - 050)H-279, Udyog Vihar, Sukher,Udaipur - 313 004 (Rajasthan)R.K. Marbles Pvt. Ltd., (LIM - 52)17, Old Fatehpura, Near Seva Mandir,Udaipur - 313 101, Rajasthan.Rajasthan State Mines & Minerals (LIM-053)CA Govt. of Rajasthan Enterprise)4, Meera Marg, Udaipur - 313 004 (Rajasthan)Sandvik Asia Limited (LIM-46)Mumbai - Pune Road, Pune - 411 012.Sesa Goa Ltd., (LIM-11)Sesa Ghor 20, EDC Complex,Patto, Panjim, GOA - 403 001.Shree Cement Ltd. (LIM-051)Bangur Nagar, P.B. No. 33,Beawar - 305 901. (Rajasthan)Shri Sharda Cold Retreads (P) Ltd., (LIM-24)15 & 16, Industrial AreaKorba, Chhattisgarh.Shree Engineering Services (LIM-15)7, Naveen Bazar, Raipur - 492 001.Sagar Cements Ltd., (LIM-21)8-2-472/B/2, Rd. No.1,Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500 034.South India Mines & Minerals Industries (LIM-2)315, Narayana Nagar,Sankaranagar (P.O) - 627 357 Tamilnadu.South West Mining Ltd. (LIM-40)Vidya Nagar (Toranagallu)Dist. Bellary (Karnataka) 583 275.Sri Kumarswamy Mineral Exports (LIM-43)No. 87, S.V. Colony,Club Road, Bellary (Karnataka)Sudarshan Group of Industries (LIM-047)425 Sector 11, Hiran Magri,Udaipur (Rajasthan) - 313 002.Tata Chemicals Ltd., (LIM-7)Mithapur, Okhamandal, Gujarat - 361 345.Tata Iron & Steel Co, Ltd (LIM-8)Mines Division, Noamundi - 833 217Singhbhum (West) Jharkhand.Terra Reserves DeterminationTechnologies (P) Ltd., (LIM-055)(A member of Terra World Holdings)Plot No. 15, Madhuvan Enclave, Street No.4,Habsiguda, Hyderabad - 500 007.The K.C.P. Ltd., (LIM-22)Macherla - 522 426, Guntur Dist. A.P.Thriveni Earthmovers (P) Ltd., (LIM-31)22/110, Greenway Road,Fairlands, Salem (TN) 636016.Tungabhadra Minerals Pvt. Ltd. (LIM-42)#322/3, 2nd Floor, Sree Sapthagiri Enclave,College Road, Hospet - 583201 (Karnataka)UltraTech Cement Ltd., A.P. Cement Works, (LIM-28)Bhogasamudram (Vill.)Tadpatri (Mandal) Anantapur Dist., A.P.Ultra Tech Cement Ltd. (LIM-10)Unit - Narmada Cement - Jafarabad Works,P.B. No. 10, Jafarabad - 365 540.Dist. Amreli, Gujarat.Veerabhadrappa Sangappa & Company (LIM-44)# 2/138, Bellary Road, Sandur,Dist. Bellary (Karnataka)V. Thirupathi Naidu (LIM-34)Railway & PWD Contractor,Basaveshwara Badavane,College Road, Hospet - 583 201.VS Lad & Sons (LIM-38)Prashant Nivas, Krishnanagar,Sandur (Dist. Bellary) - 583 119, KarnatakaW.B. Engineers International Pvt. Ltd., (LIM-13)C-22, Liberty Society, North Main Road,Koregaon Park, Pune - 411 001.

LIFE INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERS

Contd. from page 2

(Dr. K.K. SHARMA)

EDITORIALFor the first time a UN agency has endorsed India and developing countries on the

climate change front. In its World Economic and Social Survey Report 2009, the UN

said rich countries had consumed more than fair share of their carbon space and

needed to take deep emission cuts if the new climate agreement was to be equitable.

The survey said investments in energy infrastructure would have to be doubled

from the existing $800 billion/year to $1 trillion and there was a need to spend

approximately $20 trillion by 2030 to move the world to a low corbon growth path.

Sunita Narain (Director of Centre for Science and Environment), while releasing the

report, warned that industrialised countries had already emitted 209 giga tonnes of

carbon. If the rise in global temperature was to be kept below 20C, they would have

to reduce their emissions by more than 100% below 1990 levels by 2050. At present

industrialized countries have not agreed to reduce their emissions by even 40%

below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80% by 2050. The survey said rich countries should

only occupy 21% of the global carbon budget as aginst their present consumption

of 48%.

Even if India’s growth story continues unabated upto 2030, its per capita greenhouse

gas emissions would remain well below those of the industrialized nations and even

below the global average of 2005. At present, India’s per capita emission is recorded

at 1.2 tonne compared to the US which is 20 tonne per capita. In absolute terms,

Indian emissions would range from 4-7.3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents.

While releasing the report, Hon'ble minister for Forests and Enviroment Shri Jairam

Ramesh said it did not draw an official trajectory for India’s emissions growth but

merely represented the results of Indian research groups. The five studies, results

of which were released, were conducted by the National Council for Applied Economic

Reserch, the Energy Research Centre, IRADE and Mckinsey and Company. As the

researchers used differing models and assumptions, the results showed some

variance but all concluded that India’s energy intensity was bound to decrease as it

continues to grow economically even upto 2030. Dr. Prodipto Ghosh, ex-Environment

Secretary and one of the Key negotiators for India at climate talks, said the emission

reduction in India could be best achieved through energy efficiency measures.

Chinese scientists claim that they filmed an unidentified flying object (UFO) for

about 40 minutes, during the solar eclipse on July 22, 2009. Researchers at the

Purple Mountain Observatory in Nanjing have said that they will spend the next 12

months studying the footage before reaching any conclusion. The incident comes

after a series of UFO sightings in China, which led to the object being filmed by

students in Deqing.


IRON & STEEL• Rise in steel consumption in China due to auto and

ship building sectorsAs per London Commodity News Report, auto and shipbuilding industries may consume 15 m.t and 13. m.t ofsteel respectively in 2009, as predicted by experts atthe 2nd Chinese Steel Distributors Summit Forum held inAugust 8, 2009 in Zhengzhou, Henan. According to ShriJianhua, Vice General Secretary of China Associationof Automobile Manufacturers, vehichle sales areexpected to exceed 11 million units. Similarly accordingto Tan Naifen, Vice President of China Association ofthe National Shipbuilding Industry, out of 13 m.t of steelship plate will consume 11.7 m.t, section and ball flatsteel – 1.2 m.t and pipes – 400,000t.

• Steel industry of United States struggles due to weakdemandAccording to London Commodity News Report, WorldSteel Production in July 2009 increased to its highest,but U.S steel makers are still operating at barely halfcapacity due to low demand on account of globalrecession. There is no sign of real demand increasingyet. American Iron and Steel Institute figures showedcurrent U.S plant capacity at 53.9%, below the 90.4% ayear ago.

• Bright future for pellet producersAccording to Ferrexpo, and Ukrainian miner the demandfor pellet grows for the remainder of this year and thetrade has begun to nomarlize. In 2009, prices of pellethave seen the larger discounts from CVRD, which tendsto set the price for the whole industry and CVRD agreedto $ 11.43/ dry metric tonne unit fob for customersoutside Europe, down 48.3% on last year. The majorityof pellet sales in 2009 have been made on spot basis,but Gavin Mackay (Ferrexpo Business DevelopmentManager) believes that the market’s emphasis will onceagain move to see the majority of business of pelletbeing concluded on a long-term contract basis.

• Iron ore imports by China at $ 109-112According to Metal Bulletin Daily ( MBD) report, the pricerange in iron ore import market in China has widened.Transaction prices on a 63.5% Fe content basis decliningat the lower end and moved to $ 109-112/t cfr, from$110-112/t for most transactions. Figures released showthat China’s steel output was at a record high in July2009.

• Chinese iron ore stockpiles rise to 71.48 m.tAccording to figures released by Mysteel, iron ore stockpiles at China’s 22 major ports increased by 0.34% from

NEWS FROM THE MINING WORLDAugust 7, 2009 to 71.48 mt. on August 14,2009 of whichthere were 14.2 m.t. of Indian iron ore stockpiles downto 0.14%.

• NMDC proposes to expand sponge iron capacityNMDC Ltd. hopes to complete the merger of SpongeIron India Ltd. with itself in the next few months. Thecompany proposes to increase the capacity of theSponge Iron Plant at Paloncha in Khammam dist( A.P)from the present 60,000 tpa to 2,60,000tpa. NMDC –CMD Shri Rana Som told Business Line that the companywants to eventually stop selling sponge iron in thedomestic market. He said, “ We don’t want to sell spongeiron in the market. We hope to sell steel in the marketand use the enhanced sponge iron capacity to makesteel."

• Tata steel to invest Rs 40,000 crore in 5 yearsTata Steel proposes to invest Rs 40,000 crore over thenext five years to increase its production capacity to 16m.t.p.a. The company has decided to complete theexpansion of its Jamshedpur plant from present 6.8m.t.p.a to 10 m.t.p.a ahead of the schedule. It has alsoput its two greenfield projects in Chhattisgarh and Orissaon the fast track to reach 16 m.t capacity by 2014. TataSteel’s Vice- President, Corporate services, ParthaSengupta said “Downturn is best time to expand. So ourgreenfield projects would now be taken up on a prioritybasis. We have decided to invest close to Rs 40,000crore for enhancing our capacity, of which 3 m.t capacitywould come up in Chhattisgarh and Orissa besides 3.2m.t brownfield expansion at Jamshedpur”. The expansionof Jamshedpur plant is expected to be completed bythe end of 2011 – 12.

• Two-phased divestment of NMDC on the envilNMDC Ltd. will tap the capital market in two phases.The government will first divest 8.38% of its equity stakethrough an initial public offer (IPO) in the currentfianancial year, which will be followed by a follow-on offer(FPO) in 2010-11. The 8.38% stake sale is expected toraise about Rs 12,000 crore. A final approval has to begiven by the Cabinet. NMDC –CMD Shri Rana Som said“We don’t need to raise equity from the market to fundour expansion at this juncture. Disbursements for newprojects are expected to start only from next year (2010-11). We may consider a follow-on offer after thegovernment's offer sometime by 2010 end”.

• Steel demand rises 8.9% in July 2009During July 2009, the steel consumption grew at itsfastest in over six months as demand picked up from

(Continued on Page 8)


FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK

My dear colleagues,

You are all aware of the magnitude of destruction caused by the recent floods in river Krishna and loss oflives and property. This is one of the worst floods in the last 100 years. Scores of people trapped in isolated andinaccessible areas were washed away, and many lost their lives in house collapses. Lakhs of people lost theirhouses and property, and are suffering without shelter. Large number of cattle perished in the flood waters. Manypeople could not go back to their places because more than one meter thick mud was left in their dwellings andnear by areas forcing them take shelter in rehabilitation centers. People trapped in the floods have starved fordays and still are starving without food and water for days. Several children died of hunger and cold weather.Presently the Government and other agencies are putting in their best efforts for the restoration of the lives ofpeople. However, these efforts may not be sufficient when compared to the magnitude of loss and hardshipsfaced by the people. Post-flood scenario is further grim as the epidemics like Cholera and other dreadfulcommunicable deceases are spreading fast. It is need of the hour that we all must stand by them and extend thehelp in a small way.

As you are all aware, the relief and assistance provided by the Government and other agencies may not besufficient to meet the requirement of flood-affected people. As fellow human beings it is our moral duty to extenda helping hand to the suffering ones in cash or kind. Therefore, the Mining Engineers’ Association of India proposesto contribute liberally to the relief operations by way of donations and request the members of MEAI to contributeliberally for the cause. The donations may be forwarded to the MEAI headquarters so that the same will beconsolidated at the headquarters and will be sent to the Chief Minister’s Relief Funds of A. P. and Karnataka.

I, therefore, appeal to all the members to contribute liberally by sending their contributions by demand draft/ cheque on any local bank at Hyderabad in favour of “Mining Engineers’ Association of India”. The Chairmen ofthe Chapters are requested to contribute generously from their respective chapters’ funds through D.D.’s / chequesdrawn in favour of “ Mining Engineers’ Association of India”.

I once again reiterate that the contributions received from individuals and the Regional Chapters will beconsolidated at the headquarters and forwarded to respective Chief Minister’s Relief Funds of the affected statesi.e., Andhra Pradesh and and Karnataka.

V.D. RAJAGOPALDirector Mines & Geology (Govt. of A.P.),

Vice President & MD APMDC,

and President-MEAI

Directorate of Mines & Geology,

VIII Floor, BRKR Bhavan,

Near Tank Bund, Hyderabad - 500 063.

Ph.: 040 - 23220649, Fax : 040 - 23225519

Mobile : 94408 17700

Yours truly,

(V.D. Rajagopal)


the automobile and engineering industries. Steelconsumption rose 8.9% during the year to 4.49 m.t inJuly 2009, as the Steel Secretary Shri P.K. Rastogi toldDow Jones Newswires. He further said, “ The spurt inconsumption is a good sign for the steel sector and theeconomy as whole”.

• Karnataka plans integrated steel complex in Bellary-HospetGovernment of Karnataka have decided to set up a540sq.km. integrated steel complex in the Bellary –Hospet area. Official sources said, “Karnatakagovernment are setting up a huge industrial zone in theBellary – Hospet area of the state wherein they haveinvited four companies, NMDC Ltd, Tata Steel, JSW andBrahmani to set up atleast 2 m.t.p.a capacity steel plantseach. All the companies including NMDC are readilywilling to do so provided they are assured adequate rawmaterial, linkage and allied infrastructure benefits.”

• ArcelorMittal to buy into Uttam GalvaThe Uttam Galva board in a recent meeting said thatArcelorMittal will make an open offer to the public shareholders of Uttam Galva and obtain the right to nominateexecutive directors and veto powers. ArcelorMittal hassigned a co-promoter agreement with Uttam Galva(Mumbai- based), in a bid to extend into India. SudhirMaheswari (ArcelorMittal Group Management BoardMember) said, “India is a growing market and there isan expanding demand especially out of the white goodsand automotive industry to which Uttam Galva suppliesand we believe that we can provide them far more rapiddevelopment.”

• No NMDC – KIOCL MergerA high – powered committee has opposed the merger ofthe ailing Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd (KIOCL)with NMDC Ltd. The Steel Ministry appointed Committee,led by former KIOCL – CMD Shri P. Ganeshan, has infactrejected the option of merger.

COPPER• Summer correction may push copper prices down

to $ 5000/tIn its base metal forecasting monthly, London- basedGFMS said - a copper correction was due before theend of the summer season, with an overall surplus of2,45,000t. seen this year. “Investor sentiment towardscopper has been positive in the last few weeks and thiscontinues to be the case,” GFMS analysts said in thereport. “Although basic argument of strucutural tightnessin the copper market is undoubtedly sound in the medium-term, our projections continue to see consumptiondeclines more than offsetting losses in production overthe rest of the year.” GFMS sees copper prices atbetween a $5000-6500/t range from August to November.

ZINC• Widening of zinc surplus

According to Metal Bulletin Daily (MBD) report, worldwidezinc surplus increased to 273,000t in the first six monthsof 2009, as compared with a surplus of 121, 000t. inJanuary –June 2008. According to the International Leadand Zinc Study Group (ILZSG) a total of 5.35 m.t ofrefined zinc was produced in the first half of 2009, whileonly 5.08 m.t were consumed. Despite an increase inChinese apparent usage of refined zinc metal of 12.1%,world demand felll by 11.5%. Demand for zinc decreasedby 30.5% in Europe, 10.5% in the USA, 41% in Japanand 17.6% in the Republic of Korea.

URANIUM• Self sufficiency in uranium by 2013

India is expected to achieve self-sufficiency in uraniumproduction by 2015, to feed its existing plants andproposed units. With the Jaduguda Uranium Mill inJharkhand expansion and the proposed Turamdih millexpected to be commissioned over next year, uraniumproduction would go up. Besides, exploration of uraniumis underway at Tummalpalle in A.P. and it is expected tobe on stream by 2013, according to Shri Anil Kakodkar,Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission Ltd. He alsoinformed about the work at Gogi in Gulbarga of Karnatakato explore uranium.

CROMITE• Rise in chrome metal prices

According to Metal Bulletin Daily (MBD) report, pricesof chromium metal increased as the market finallystarted taking support from the firm market of chromeore. Alumino –Thermic chromium metal basis 99%increased to trade at $ 7,900 – 8200/t. Business in theEuropean market remains slim and sales are competitive,producers said, citing rising chrome ore and aluminiumprices as the reason for the price rise. Chrome ore ofSouth Africa is trading at $175-195/t basis 35-40%compared with this year’s low of $ 120/t in May 2009.Prices have risen on tight supply from South Africa andsteady Chinese demand for ferro- alloy producers.

LITHIUM• Large Lithium deposits in Bolivia

Lithium is gaining importance for its increased use inmobile phones, digital cameras, solvents, greases,fluxes, glass and biggest use in batteries for electric/hybrid vehichles, helping in cutting carbon emissions.The majority of known resources are in the BolivianAltiplano and some deposits scattered in Salars in Chile,Argentina , China and America. Bolivia has the biggestknown deposits and is considered to have about 50% ofglobal lithium resources. Many countries like China,Japan and France have shown interest in these depositsbut according to Mineweb report “ Bolivia says the winner

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will be the company that presents a viable plan to developa full- fledged lithium industry in the landlocked SouthAmerican country, going far beyond building a plant.”

BAUXITE• Nalco gets 2 AP mines

The centre has approved the Andhra Pradeshgovernment’s proposal to award leasing right to NationalAluminium Company Ltd (Nalco) over Gudem andKatamraju Konda blocks in Visakhapatnam District,Andhra Pradesh. The estimated resources in these twoblocks are 85 m.t. Nalco proposes to set up a 14,00,000tgreenfield refinery at Makavarapalem in Visakhapatnamdistrict with an estimated investment of Rs 6000 crore.Nalco- CMD Shri C.R. Pradhan said "We will be able tocomplete the project in 5 years. “Nalco proposes to supplyalumina from the Visakhapatnam refinery to its proposedsmelter in Indonesia.

COAL• Coal India proposes subsidiary in Mozambique

Coal India Ltd (CIL) was awarded two coal blocks inMozambique in March 2009. A top CIL official toldBusiness Standard, "CIL will form a separate companyfor carrying out coal mining activities in Mozambique.This company will be a fully owned subsidiary of CILand will forge a joint venture (JV) with a state run miningfirm in Mozambique.” The CIL subsidiary will have 85%stake in the JV, while the remaining 15% will be held bythe Mozambique based company. The two coal blocksA1 and A2 are in Tete province of Mozambique havingan estimated reserve of one billion tonne.

• Essar to spend $ 350 million on coal bed methaneAs per London Commodity News Report, EssarExploration & Production India Ltd., proposes to spendsome $350 million in the next 3-4 years to fund drillingof 500 wells in coal-based methane (CBM) block ineastern part of India. Essar E&P (a unit of Essar Oil)will also start selling gas from the coal-rich easternRaniganj block from December 2009, and will extract 3million cubic feet/day of coal seam gas by March 2010,as told by firm’s GM Shri S.K. Singh. He also informedon the sidelines of a CBM conference in Singapore thatthe production is expected to touch 100 million cubicfeet by 2013/ 2014 as the firm expands its drilling, andthey have ready customers in the industrial belt of Indiafrom steel to power plants. Meanwhile, the firm laid apipeline (25-30 km) linking gas from the producing CBMwells to the industry. He said that their plan is to hookup to the national gas grid.

Essar, which owns 100% of the 500 km2 Raniganj block,will receive a reserves certification from Sewell &Associates Inc. Netherland. The Raniganj block wasawarded to Essar in 2005, and is estimated to have 2.15trillion cubic feet of coal-bed methane resources. India

started late on CBM. As compared to China which drilled3500 CBM wells, 280 CBM wells were drilled in India sofar. Besides Essar, other CBM players were London –Listed Great Eastern Corp. (GEEC), Oil and Natural GasCorporation.

• Coal India eyeing tie-up with global mining firmsCoal India Ltd (CIL) is looking for tie up with global miningfirms to jointly mine for coal abroad (Indonesia, Australia,South Africa and the US). CIL Chairman Shri Partha S.Bhattacharyya told reporters at an industry event, “Wehave floated global expression of interest for a strategicpartnership with global mining firms such as BHP Billiton,Rio Tinto, Anglo American. We will seek equitypartnership in their companies.” CIL is sitting on Rs.30,000 crore cash reserve and he added, “They (Globalmining firms) have the technology but not the money.We have the money. Things will be clear when the offerscome and they (companies) make a presentation.” Hefurther informed that the CIL plans to directly import 4m.t of coal in the current fiscal.

• UMPP bidders may not get coal from domestic minesBidders of new Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPP) maynot get assured coal supplies from local mines. As perproposed changes in the UMPP policy, all future projectsof 4,000 m.w generation capacity each, will have to relyon imported coal to produce power. The move is aimedat protecting the limited resource of coal in the countryfor providing fuel linkages to small and medium –sizedpower plants.

DIAMOND.• Rio-Tinto may invest $ 100 million in research for

MP diamond minesRio Tinto Diamonds proposes to invest $75-100 millionon a pre-feasibility study of its M.P. project. BruceCox(MD of Rio Tinto Diamonds) said, “We plan to starta pre-feasibility study at the Bunder Diamond project inMadhya Pradesh and invest $75-100 billion by early2010.” If the study shows that the project is viable, thecompany would consider further investments, said Mr.Cox. He also said, “We could then invest a further $300-400 million over the next 4-5 years.” The most advancedexploration project is at Bunder in MP where Rio Tintohas discovered a cluster of eight diamondiferouslamporites, and has already spent $25 million in last 5years on diamond exploration. The reconnaissance workhas resulted in the discovery of more than 15 pipes withRio Tinto’s Bunder project, set to be a world classdiamond mine. Mr. Cox said, “We would be delighted tobe mining and marketing Indian diamonds in the not-too-distant future.”

• Rio Tinto brings home the world’s costliest diamondRio Tinto has launched the pink diamond in India.


Proposed to be sold through tenders, the diamonds wereopened for public viewing at New Delhi. Pink diamondscost atleast 20 times more than processed whitediamonds and only 40 to 60 pieces are availableworldwide. They are mined at Argyle mine (WesternAustralia) and processed in Perth where only 50 suchdiamonds are processed every year, making them theworld’s rarest gems as stated by Bruce Cox, Rio TintoDiamonds MD said.

• Big diamond found in South AfricaA 515 carat white diamond has been recovered fromCullinan diamond mine of South Africa.

• Diamond trade seeks direct Russian supplyA Surat trade body has appealed to Russia to route itsdiamonds directly to India instead of supplying it throughAntwerp in Belgium. The Surat Diamond Association(SDA) President Shri Rohit Mehta met the RussianCouncil General M.R. Alexander V. Mantysky in Mumbaiand discussed various measures needed for thedevelopment of Surat's diamond industry, an Associationstatement said.

OIL & NATURAL GAS• Gail signs deals to source and supply gas from

CauveryGas Authority of India Ltd. (GAIL) has signed contractsfor sourcing natural gas from PY-1 fields in the Cauverybasin. Gail signed a longterm gas sales contract (GSC)with Hindustan Oil Exploration Company (HOEC) for thePY-1 gas. Gail also entered into a back-to-backagreement to supply the gas from PY-1 to PPN PowerGenerating Company for its power plant at Nagapattinumin Tamilnadu. The GSC is for 15 years, for the first sixyears, Gail will buy 51,000 million British thermal unitsof gas from PY-1 per day. The duration can be extendedon mutually agreed terms.

GENERAL• Centre to step in for extension of mineral lease

agreementsThe Central government will step in if states delay inextending lease agreements with companies to mineminerals within specified time limit. The Centre will extendmineral lease agreements with companies for a periodof 20 years if states fail to grant it within a period of 24months prior to the expiry of mineral lease agreement.The proposal has been included as part of theamendments to the Mines and Minerals (Developmentand Regulations) Act also known as MMDR Act whichis expected to get Parliament’s approval during the winterseason.

• POSCO shifting plantUnion Mines Minister Shri B.K. Handique said that Posco,facing problems of land acquisition in Orissa, would be

moving to a different place. He added, “Posco hasinformed me that it would be moving to a different placeas it is facing problems in the acquisition of land. Theycould probably shift to a new plot of land but did notelaborate if it was within or outside the state.”

• Goa to close all iron ore mines near wildlifesancturies.The Goa Government has taken a decision to close allmines located in less than a kilometer from wildlifesanctuaries. The decision is likely to affect nearly onethird of Goa’s 163 licensed mines that are located nearsancturies and is expected to have an adverse impacton state’s iron ore trade with China. Recently, the stategovernment has guaranteed to close down all miningcompanies that continue excavation even after theirpermits lapsed.

• Forest Ministry likely to relax norms for pilot coal-mining projectsCoal India Ltd. may finally expect some headway inprospecting coal reserves in forest areas. The UnionMinistry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), followingan inter-ministrial meeting, has decided to relax theexisting norms for pilot projects. The MoEF, it is learnt,may go for suitable policy changes in this regard basedon detailed impact assessment of the pilot projects. Itrecently appointed a nodal officer to deal with CILsapplication for pilot drilling in three blocks in MadhyaPradesh, Chhattisgarh and Orissa.

• 12,00,000 ha. forests lost in 29 yearsAs per the Government’s own assessment, the nation’stotal forest land diverted for non-forest purposes since1980, when the Forest Conservation Act came into being,stands at a staggering 11,82,000 hactares. A MoEFofficial said, “The figure is based on the details providedby different state governments. There have been variedaccounts of it. But now that we have an official figureabout the total forest land diverted, it should put to restall speculations over the exact forest cover loss.” Withthe Supreme Court clearing the decks for the utilizationof the ad hoc Compensatory Afforestation Managementand Planning Authority (CAMPA) funds, the Governmenthas now fixed a target for states to under takecompensatory afforestation in a total area covering13,04,000 ha. It will include 7,50,000 ha of degradedforest land and 5,54,000 ha of non-forest land. Stateswith the maximum forest land diversions are Chhattisgarh,Maharashtra, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Kerala and Orissa.As things stand, the MoEF has cleared 18,952 cases offorest land diversion in 33 states and Union Territories,barring Jammu and Kashmir (where the FCA 1980, isnot applicable) and Pondicherry. It entails a total forestland diversion of 11.82 ha. India’s forest cover stands at6,77,00,000 ha. which is nearly 21% of the nations total


geographical area. The Government plans to increase itto 33% by 2012, but as per Environment Minister JairamRamesh’s own admission, it is a difficult proposition.

• Magnetite ore for steel makingGindalbie (MD and CEO of Garret Dixon) explains thatmagnetite with its low Fe content can be easily upgradedand is suitable for processing into iron ore pellets. Themagnetic properties of magnetite enable it to be readilyrefined into an iron ore concentrate. The processing routefor magnetite requires crushing, screening, grinding,magnetic separation, filtering and drying. The finalproduct is a high iron grade magnetite concentrate (+65%Fe), with typically very low impurities. Further processinginvolves the agglomeration and thermal treatment of theconcentrate to produce pellets, which can be useddirectly in a blast furnace or direct reduction steel makingplant. In the modern steel production the use of iron orepellets accounts for approximately 50% of global ironore production. The additional processing cost for theproduction of magnetite concentrate can be offset bythe premium price which it attracts from steel millsbecause of the high Fe% content compared to benchmarkDSO hematite products. Gindalbie further notes,“Magnetite has been greatly misunderstood andundervalued by the market it is regarded in Australia asa less attractive proposition. However, the availability ofcheaper energy combined with increased global iron oreand steel demand is changing this perspective. Moreovermagnetite concentrate can be upgraded upto 68-69%Fe."

• Mines Safety Association Karnataka organized aseminarMines Safety Assocaiton, Karnataka under the aegis ofDirectoratre General of Mines Safety organized a NationalSeminar on “Challenges in the changed scenario ofmining’ on September 12 & 13, 2009 at J.N. TataAuditorium, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore(Karnataka). 25 technical papers were presented in sixtechnical sessions on two days.

• NMDC gets award for CSR activity"NMDC Ltd. (a Navratna PSU) has been conferred withthe India Pride Award for CSR excellence for the year2008-09. The NMDC - CMD, Shri Rana Som, receivedthe award from the Home Minister, Shri P. Chidambaramin New Delhi," the company said. The award has beengiven in recognition of NMDC's sustained efforts forimprovement of quality life of the under privileged throughvarious innovative corporate social responsibilityinitiatives.

During the current financial year NMDC has partneredwith the state branch of Indian Red Cross Society forestablishment of a multidisciplinary hospital in Hyderabad

apart from providing financial assistance to various socialorganizations. Earlier, NMDC had supported educationof meritorious students belonging to poor families fromgovernment schools, provided aid to all the specialschools for hearing impaired in and around twin cities,conducted free medical health check up camps in RythuBazaar, supported National Rapid Blitz ChessChampionships at Hyderabad and also various sportsevents for physically challenged children.

• NMDC donation towards Flood Relief Fund for A.P.NMDC Limited donated Rs.5 crores to Chief Minister’sRelief Fund to extend helping hand to flood affectedpeople of Andhra Pradesh. Shri Rana Som, CMD, NMDChanded over the cheque to Shri K. Rosaiah, Hon'ble ChiefMinister of Andhra Pradesh in presence of Shri A. SaiPrathap, Hon'ble Minister of State for Steel, Governmentof India and Directors of NMDC. The Corporate SocialResponsibility (CSR) Policy of NMDC is proactive towardsnatural calamities and always comes forward to help theconcerned. To meet this end, NMDC’s CSR policy providesadequate fund provisions in its budget. In pursuit of thispolicy, NMDC had extended financial support to floodrelief measures in various states in the past. NMDC withits headquarters at Hyderabad has been contributing itsmite to help the people by providing facilities forhealthcare, education, civic amenities etc. in the stateof Andhra Pradesh.

• BAUMA 2010, 29th International Trade Fair29th International Trade Fair - Bauma 2010 will be heldat New Munich Trade Fair Centre during April 19-25, 2010.It will present an unrivalled range of products andservices for the benifit of manufacturers of machinery,for construction, mining, transportation etc. Bauma is ahub for international business and an important venuefor gathering information and establishing contacts,where mining, building and construciton experts fromall over the world will meet and can get latest informationabout state-of-the-art technology.

India will be the partner country at Bauma 2010. Severalhigh-level delegations and prominent visitors from Indiawill visit BAUMA 2010 and use this platform fordeveloping new business contacts. Further a half daySymposium on Construction and Infrastructure Sectorand Mining Industry in India would be organised duringBauma 2010.

For any detailed information one may contact ShriRajesh Nath, M.D., German Engineering Federation(VDMA), GC-34, Salt Lake, Sector-III, Kolkata - 700106. Tel. : 033-2321 7391/9522. Fax : 033-23217073,Email : [email protected], Website : www.vdma.org


1. IntroductionCBM is generated either through a biological process as aresult of microbial action or from a thermal process as a resultof increasing heat within the depths of the coal. Often a coalseam is saturated with water, with the methane being held inthe coal by the water pressure. In order to produce CBM,water is pumped out of the coal seams, therefore reducingthe pressure and allowing the gas to leave the coal and migratethrough fracture systems into the well.

Methane was once regarded by miners as a hazard ratherthan a resource and many miners died in methane explosionsbefore the introduction of high-capacity ventilation to dilutegasses. However, if methane is not recaptured it is not onlylost as a resource but contributes to global warming. Eventhough the volume of methane contributing to greenhousegasses is three times smaller than carbon dioxide, itsgreenhouse potential is 21 times higher. Coal mining isestimated to cause about 9 per cent of global methaneemissions.

Methane captured during coal mining could be a significant,ecologically friendly source of energy, producing no

COAL BED METHANE – FROM A LIABILITY TO AN ASSETDipesh Dipu

AbstractCoal bed methane (CBM) has the potential of wrecking havoc in underground mining operations and creating green houseeffects. Methane has been the key reason for explosions and fatalities in mines. Unchecked liberation of methane, throughopencast mining has climate change implications as methane is about 21 times greenhouse strength than carbon dioxide.Thus far, in India, with little effort to tap methane from the coal beds, the gas with potential to fuel power generation andtransportation has remained a liability. There have been developments that indicate an increasingly greater focus beinggiven to tap these resources through allocating CBM coal blocks to private and government companies. Three rounds of CBMblock allocations have been done. The latest round (CBM – III) attracted 54 bids for 10 blocks, including bids frominternational majors. The ten blocks are spread over West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthanand Andhra Pradesh, and have reserves of 586 billion cubic meters of methane. The results from CBM rounds have beenencouraging as one of the private sector players has begun commercial production of coal bed methane in the eastern part ofthe country.

This paper analyzes the regulatory and commercial aspects of coal bed methane, the financial feasibility, fiscal incentives thatmay provide appropriate incentives for further development of CBM, and business models for exploration, assessment andcommercial deployment. The paper also analyzes the impacts of policies in the energy sector, coal mining sector in particular,which may have significant bearing on development of CBM resources in India, which include competitive bidding, productionor profit sharing, royalty regimes, public-private partnerships and financing structures. A prudent policy making that providesconducive investment environment can result in a liability being effectively converted into energy asset.

Principal Consultant – Mining & Metals PricewaterhouseCoopers India, [email protected]

particulates and only about half the CO2 associated with coalcombustion. Depending on quality methane from mines couldbe sold to gas companies, used to generate electricity, usedto run vehicles, used as feedstock for fertilizer or methanolproduction, used in blast furnace operators at steelworks; soldto other industrial, domestic or commercial enterprises; orused on-site to dry coal. In the USA today coal bed methane(CBM) represents between two and three per cent of all gasproduction.

It is estimated that in India, the largest coal producer in theworld, there are around 20,000 sq km of area where CBMcapture could be carried out and that the country’s recoverablereserves of methane are 800 billion cubic meters, with a gasproduction potential of 105 million cubic meters a day over20 years.

2. Policy on Coal Block allocation for CBMGovernment of India is involved through CMPDI/CIL indelineation of prospective of CBM blocks, sharing of coaldata, and allotment of block to interested parties throughnomination or FIPB and evolving policy for CBM. In 1997, a


CBM policy was framed by Govt. of India, wherein MoP&NG(Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas) has been earmarkedas an administrative ministry and DGH (Directorate Generalof Hydrocarbons) as nodal agency for promoting CBM in Indiaand made MOP&NG as the administrative ministry for CBM.

The main laws governing CBM exploration and production inIndia are listed below:• Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act, 1948• Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 1959• Environment Protection Act, 1986• Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996• Income Tax Act, 1961• Customs Act, 1962.

Major fiscal incentives offered by Government of India in July1997 for CBM policy are:• No participative interest from GOI.• Allotment of blocks through competitive global bidding.• Exploration and development under confessional type

of agreement through model contract.• Seven year tax holiday from the date of commencement

of commercial production.• Nominal commercial bonus of US $ 0.3 million on

declaration of commercial assessment.• Freedom to sell gas at market driven price in domestic

market• Income tax 35% for Indian company and 48% for foreign

company.• Provision of 100% cost recovery.• Exemption on custom duty on imported equipments.• For CBM exploitation 100% foreign direct investment is

allowed.

Carbon credit is available for coalmine methane andabandoned mine methane.

3. CBM in India – Present Scenario and allocation statusAs of now, three rounds of competitive bidding for CBM blockshave already been done in which 26 coal blocks covering anarea of 13600 Sq. Km and having more than 1.5 trillion cubicmetre of resources has been awarded. In these three roundsof CBM policy 23 CBM blocks were awarded throughinternational competitive bidding, two blocks on nominationbasis and one through Foreign Investment Promotion Board(FIPB) route.For next round of bidding, CMPDIL has delineated 7 additionalCBM blocks along with corresponding data packages. Thesehave prognosticated resources of 460 BCM in about area of4400 sq. km.

First round for CBM blocks allocation: For the first time,Government of India offered CBM blocks in May 2001 forexploration and production through an international competitivebidding process. In total 6 blocks were offered in the CBM-Ifor allocation. Reliance Industries, Essar Oil Ltd., and Oil andNatural Gas Corporation (ONGC) won the bids for the blocks.

Second round for CBM blocks allocation: Under second roundof bidding 9 blocks were offered through internationalcompetitive bidding in May 2003 with bid closing date of 15thOctober 2003. Total of 14 bids were received for 8 out of 9blocks offered. Contracts for these 8 awarded blocks weresigned in June 2004.

Third round for CBM blocks allocation: Internationalcompetitive bids were invited by GOI for 10 CBM blocks underthird round of CBM bidding with bid closing date of 30th June2006. There was an overwhelming response to the CBM –IIIround of bidding. For the first time major E&P companiesparticipated in the CBM-III bidding round. A total of 54 bidswere received for all the 10 blocks, from 26 companiesincluding 8 foreign and 18 Indian companies. All the 10 blocksreceived multiple bids.

4. Bid evaluation for CBM block allocationThe CBM blocks are being awarded through internationalcompetitive bidding. The bids are invited from the interestedparties and evaluated and block is offered to the party offeringmost competitive bid. The analysis of the bid evaluation criteriaindicates that Bid evaluation is based on three criteria asindicated below. The weightages that are assigned to each ofthem are indicated against them.

Serial Criteria Weightage

A Technical Capability 20

B Work Programme 45

C Fiscal Package 35

Technical Capability:In the evaluation of technical capability, following points arebeing considered:

• Oil and gas acreage holding, CBM acreage holding

• Average annual production of oil & gas for 3 years,Average annual production of CBM for 3 years

• Bidder experience as an operator in exploration and / ordevelopment and/ or production of oil & gas and CBM(years)

• Technical assessment by the bidder of block(s)

Work Programme:Following points phase wise for committed minimum workprogramme will be given

Exploration Phase (I) 35

Pilot Assessment Phase (IIA) 10

Total Points 45


Fiscal Package:

• The Government Take (i.e the ratio of Government NPVto project NPV expressed in percentage terms) at a 10%discount rate, is being calculated and considered forgiving points.

• The Government Take will include Production LevelPayment (PLP) offered to the Government.

• Government Take will be estimated under three fieldreserves sizes (low, most likely and high) and three GasPrice scenario (low, medium, high).

The bidder offering the highest Government Take is beingawarded the maximum 35 points and other bidders will beawarded points proportionately computed with reference tothe Government Take of the highest bidder.

5. Issues in coal bed methane development and regionalcomparisonKey issues in the development of coal bed methane are

• CBM operating costs are typically higher than with

conventional natural gas. Fiscal incentives may berequired to improve the competitiveness of the productionof CBM gas;

• Whether an adequate experience is available in themarket in exploiting the CBM. CBM operations are unlikeoil and gas wells or coal mining;

• The CBM reserves are buried deep in the earth’s surfacewhich creates poor permeability and a lengthy dewateringstage;

• A lack of infrastructure (e.g. pipeline) and difficult terrainhamper access to the CBM reserves;

• Potential mismatch of supply and demand for domesticuse, particularly eastern part of the country;

• Land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement,environmental clearances, forest clearances, and waterdisposal complexity; and

• Uncertain Fiscal regime for the CBM PSC framework.

The comparison table for resource estimates and investmentsin Asian countries is presented below:

Regional ComparisonResources and Investments

Country Resources Regulatory No. of cont- Stage of Investment(Tcf) Framework racts signed Operation

Indonesia 450 PSC 7 Exploration USD 20Mand Feasibility Study (commitment, 2009-2011)

China 1,000 PSC 29 First Production USD 342Min November 2005 (actual, up to 2007)

India 300 PSC 26 First Production USD 150Min July 2007 (commitment)

Vietnam Unknown PSC 2 Exploration USD 1.5Mand Feasibility Study (commitment, 1 PSC only)

The comparison table of fiscal regimes for coal bed methane development in Asian countries is presented below:

Fiscal Regime for CBM

Country CIT Rate Tax Import VAT Pricing Royalties Equity SplitHoliday Duties For Import of (G : C)

Capital CBM Capital DomesticGoods Goods Consumption

Indonesia 28% No tax No Not 10% 10%. Refundable Market N/A Generallyholiday exemption subject upon production price 55% : 45%

China 33% No tax Possible 5% Exempted Market Up to Generally(possible redu- holiday* exemption price 12.5%(pay 85% : 15%

ced to 25%) (until 2010) in kind)



1.0 IntroductionThe coal barrier is the solid portion of the coal, left purposelyin between two adjacent underground coal mines at theircommon boundary line. The statutory requirement of coal barrieras per Coal Mine Regulation No. 127, Part (3) [In India]stipulated by DGMS (DGMS Circular 2003) states that “Noworking which has approached within a distance of 60 m ofany other working (not being the working which has beenphysically examined and found to be free from accumulationof water or other liquid matter or any material that is likely toflow when wet) and whether in the same mine or in an adjoiningmine, shall be extended further except with the prior permissionin writing of the Regional Inspector and subject to suchconditions as he may specify therein”.

The problem with coal barrier (parting) starts, when the leftcoal barrier is excessively robbed out during development workin the form of Bords (galleries) and Pillars under normal practicedue to either pressure of achieving targeted coal production ordue to incorrect dimensions of the coal barrier reflected by thejoint underground mine plans as well as due to non-availabilityof old mine plans.

The concept of hidden water filled galleries can be envisagedby an example. Say there is a coal seam, whose gradient is 1in 20 or so. Cover depth from the surface is 100 m. From 100- 150 m depth, the extraction of coal has been done usingBord and Pillar method of mining. Firstly, the developmenthas been done then depillaring and then that mine has becomeabandoned and later on waterlogged. After 10-50 years, anothermine has been started in the same area to extract the samecoal seam from say 200 - 150 m depth in dip side. At 150 mdepth level, there has to be coal barrier as per the CMR 127part (3) of 60 m in between the earlier waterlogged workings atrise side and newly started mine in dip side. Following theregulation, the newly started underground mines tries to leave60 m coal barrier as per their joint mine plan duringdevelopment. But sometimes, the development work near tothe common boundary line even after leaving sufficient barrierof 60 m from the old abandoned waterlogged workings,touches the developed water filled galleries of old water loggedworkings and causes heavy casualties due to mine inundation.These developed water filled galleries are actually the hiddenwater filled galleries because their actual locations are notmarked authentically on the underground mine plans. Thesegalleries are also kept hidden because they are developed at

SUCCESSFUL DELINEATION OF HIDDEN GALLERIES INBARRIERS OF WATERLOGGED UNDERGROUND COAL MINES

BY ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY SURVEY METHODA. P. Singh* & P. K. Gupta*

* Scientists, Central Institute of Mining & Fuel Research, Dhanbad - 826015Email: [email protected]

the cost of safety. One of the biggest examples of inundationdisaster in the history of Indian coal mines is the Chasnalamine inundation disaster, where 375 people lost their lives.The disaster occurred during December 1975 in Jharia Coalfield (Rakesh & Lele 1980). Before nationalization of coal minesin 1970 and after nationalization, the ownership of coal mineschanged several hands from time to time – one of the reasonsfor unavailability of actual underground mine plans of oldwaterlogged underground mines and presence of hidden waterfilled galleries within the so called coal barriers.

The present paper deals with the successful delineation ofthese hidden water filled galleries with in the coal barriers atcommon boundary line between two underground coal mines(workings in same seam) using Electrical Resistivity Survey(ERS) Method. The ERS is an indirect geophysical method,which has been successfully utilized for characterization ofphysical properties of earth strata where direct method is notfeasible. This survey can be done either from surface or throughunderground as per the situation demands. ERS has beenrecommended as one of the suitable approaches fordetermination of coal barrier thickness or presence of any waterbody with in the coal mine with accuracy of more than 98% byDGMS (DGMS Circular 2003).

The Electrical Resistivity Survey (ERS) has been utilized forexploration in hard rock area (Chandra et. al., 2004). The ERShas been successfully used for delineation of abandonedwaterlogged working in USA (Burdick et. al., 1986). In Indiangeo-mining condition the ERS has been utilized in followingdifferent collieries with more or less same objective:

• Determination of thickness and strength of coal barrierin between Talcher & Handidhua collieries, MCL [CIMFR(Erstwhile CMRI) Unpubl. Report, 2003].

• Determination of coal barrier thickness againstwaterlogged workings of Orient Area, MCL [CIMFR(Erstwhile CMRI) Unpubl. Report, 2004].

• Determination of coal barrier thickness in betweenwaterlogged old workings and present workings ofBirsinghpur colliery, SECL [CIMFR (Erstwhile CMRI)Unpubl. Report, 2006].

• Proving the thickness of intervening barrier between 1&2Pits (Abandoned) Madhusudanpur & Madhusudanpur 7


Pit & Incline Mine with delineation of two drifts [CIMFR(Erstwhile CMRI) Unpubl. Report, 2008].

• The same task has also been done at different collieriesof Nimcha (ECL), Khottadih (ECL), Kuardih (ECL) & WestJhagrakhand (SECL).

ERS is based on ohm’s law, which tells the easiness ordifficulty of current flow in different or specific media in termsof resistance. Its application has been extended to delineatethe presence and flow of subsurface water with in the earthstrata, in analogy with current flow. The resistivity offered bythe earth strata is termed as apparent resistivity. Apparentbecause it utilizes the standardized voltage difference. Theapparent resistivity (ohm m) is calculated as per followingempirical formula (Dobrin, 1960).

∆I

G∆ρa

Where,

aρ = Apparent resistivity

G = Geometric factor depending upon geo-electrodeconfiguration and geo-mining condition

∆V

= Potential voltage difference

∆I = Current intensity

2.0 Location, geology and geography of the study areaThe colliery where the study has been done is Hingir Rampurcolliery geographically located at P.O: Brajrajnagar, DistrictJharsuguda (Orissa). The geographic coordinates of the areaare Latitude North 210 48’’ to 210 52’’ and Longitude East 83053’’ to 830 57’’. The location map of area under study isillustrated in Figure 1. The Hingir Rampur colliery is presentlyworking with Rampur coal seam, whose overall thicknessvaries in the range of 18-35 m. Rampur coal seam has oneunderlying Ib coal seam and one overlying Lajkura coal seam.Rampur coal seam is the major coal seam of Orient area in Ibriver valley. Regionally, it belongs to Gondwana coal formation.It is one of the oldest coal seam in the country, where bordand pillar mining was adapted after the construction of BengalNagpur Railway line in 1925. The huge thickness of Rampurcoal seam has allowed to work into different sections throughvarious collieries; resulted in several disused workings, whichbecame waterlogged in due course of time (Singh, 1997).Rampur coal seam has overlying Lajkura coal seam, whereextraction is going on through opencast mining. Similarly,Rampur coal seam has underlying high quality Ib coal seamand is under development stage at nearby Hirakhand Bundiamine as shown in Figure 1. Rampur coal seam is prone towardscoal spalling (falling of coal from the roof or from side walls)due to high moisture content, longer contact period with waterand presence of vitrain band in travelling roadway.

3.0 Problem faced by the coal mineThere is travelling roadway between 15L to 71L in undergroundworking of Hingir Rampur colliery. It has length of about 2 kmsand is against the old waterlogged workings or goaf of Pit No.5 (Seam No. 1) dated 30/09/1970 to 30/03/1973 and also oldworkings of 9 & 11 Pits dated 30/03/1963 to 31/12/1974. Thetravelling roadway has been associated with excess problemof coal spalling from the side wall towards old waterloggedgoafs on account of huge quantity of water. The DGMSBhubaneswar region during inspection of Hingir Rampur Collieryin August 2003, advised Orient Area mine management toascertain the coal barrier thickness in between travelingroadway and old waterlogged workings as also shown in Figure2 & Figure 3.

4.0 Result and discussionsThe ERS data has been generated with the use of differentoffset system as per existing local geo-mining condition alongwith limitation of instrument (Barker, 1981). The ERS data hasbeen interpreted with use of standard master curve matching(Griffith et al., 1993).

During instrumentation for the determination of coal barrierthickness between travelling roadway and old waterlogged

Figure 1: Location map of area under study

V

ORISSA


goafs of 30/6/73, 30/9/72, 31/3/72, 30/9/71 and 30/9/70 (Alsoshown in Figure 2 and Figure 3), it has been found that thecoal barrier is in between 34 - 52 m. For this, instrumentationwas conducted at 17 sites namely HR1-HR17. Later on, wheninstrumentation was done in between 55L – 63L at sites HR18,HR19, HR23 – HR29 as also in Figure 4, it has been foundthat there is presence of water filled galleries, which havebeen developed up to the distance of 20m from the 63L. Theresults of the instrumentation at HR18, HR19 & HR23 – HR29are summarized in Table 1. The dimensions of the two waterfilled galleries delineated in between 55L-63L is depicted inlayout1.

The old water filled workings have been noticed at 30 mdistance from the 63L during May 2004. The instrumentationhas been again done during August 2004 and it has been foundthat these galleries are ending at a distance of 20 m from the63L or 10 m from the extended 2nd Rise and 3rd Rise into thevirgin coal seam as reflected by the part of U/g plan of HR/SUR/04/02 dated 15.5.04 of Hingir Rampur Colliery as Figure4. The instrumentation at different sites in between 55L-63L isdescribed here as following as per Table 1:

Figure 2: Old waterlogged workings against the traveling roadway andInstrumentation sites HR1 – HR6 between 17L-28L

• HR23 site: The coal barrier thickness has been found as54 m and the first gallery has been encountered at adistance of 54m and continued up to 60 m. Thus a waterfilled gallery of 6 m width has been confirmed.

• HR24 site: The coal barrier thickness has been found as42 m against the traveling roadway and the first galleryhas been encountered at a distance of 42 m and foundcontinued up to 51 m from the traveling roadway. Thus,the presence of first water filled gallery has beenconfirmed. On the same site, it has been also found thatthere is presence of one more gallery at a distance of 62m and found continued up to 70 m. Thus the secondwater filled gallery of 8m has been confirmed.

• HR19 site: The coal barrier thickness has been found as43 m and the first and second galleries have beenencountered at a distance of 43 m and 64 m respectively.Their widths have been found as 10 m and 6 m.

• HR25 site: The coal barrier thickness has been found as43 m and the first and second galleries have been

Figure 3: Old waterlogged workings against the traveling roadwayand Instrumentation sites HR7 – HR17 between 31L-55L


encountered at a distance of 43 m and 63 m respectively.

• HR18 site: The coal barrier thickness has been found as44 m and the first gallery has been encountered at adistance of 44 m and found continued up to 54 m.

Figure 4: Instrumentation sites HR18, HR19 & HR23 – HR29 between 55L-63L

Layout 1: Dimensions of the delineated galleries in between 55L – 63L

• HR18 & HR19 sites: These sites were instrumented inMay 2004, when it was not expected to encounter anywater filled gallery/working with in the virgin coal blockreflected by the part of u/g plan No. HR/SUR/04/02 dated

WORKINGS OF PIT NO. 5

SEAM NO. 1

30-09-70

GOAF


15.5.2004 of Hingir Rampur Colliery as also shown inFigure 3. Other than HR18 & HR19 sites, all sites havebeen instrumented in August 2004 to ascertain the actualdimensions of these hidden workings.

• HR26 site: The coal barrier thickness has been found as44 m and the first and second galleries have beenencountered at 44 m and 64 m respectively.

• HR27 site: The coal barrier thickness has been found as44 m and only the first gallery could be assessed due tolimited span for instrumentation. Here the first galleryhas been encountered at a distance of 44 m.

To ascertain the end points of those two galleries, theinstrumentation was done along 63L in front of or in centreof these two water filled galleries approaching towards63L opposite to 30/9/70 dated goaf.

• HR28 site: The first gallery has been found ended at adistance of 20 m from the instrumentation site, which isin the same alignment of 63L, otherwise this 20 m CBTwill be further reduced by 10 m due to the protruding 10m along gallery part into the so called virgin coal block.

• HR29 site: Similarly, the second gallery has been found

at a distance of 20 m from the HR29 site, which is in thesame alignment of 63L.

All the dimensions of galleries obtained at nine different sitesare depicted in the layout 1.

5.0 ConclusionDelineation of two water filled galleries in the coal barrier ofHingir Rampur colliery against waterlogged workings has beendone successfully using Electrical Resistivity Survey method.As per the history of fatalities during accidents in undergroundcoal mines, the inundation accidents contributed around 47%of the total fatalities. Inundation occurs, when the presentworking of any underground coal mine approaches to anyadjacent old waterlogged workings and the aforesaid galleries,which are present with in the solid barrier get connected withthe workings due to the lack of authentic information. Thusunknown galleries with in the solid coal barrier became thereason for inundation accidents. The galleries delineated atHingir Rampur colliery were not the simple galleries but werethe extended portion of very huge waterlogged workings of30/9/1970, 31/3/1972, 30/9/1972 and 30/6/1973 containingmillions of gallons of water as shown in Figure 2 & 3.

Table 1: Determination of distance, extent and width of two water filled galleries from the travelling roadwayagainst 55L - 63L and also the coal barrier thickness at sites HR18, HR19 & HR23-HR29 through ERS

S.N. Sites Location Observed Coal Distance, extent and Distance, extent Distance, extent Distance of firstbarrier thickness width of first and width of solid and width of and second

by ERS (m) encountered coal between two second encounte- water filledwater filled gallery galleries w.r.t. -red water filled galleries fromw.r.t. the travelling the travelling gallery w.r.t. the the 63L (m)

roadway (m) roadway (m) travellingroadway (m)

1 HR23 Between 56L & 57L 54 54, 54 – 60 and 6 --- --- ---

2 HR24 Center of 58L 42 42, 42 – 51 and 9 51, 51 – 62 and 11 62, 62 – 70 and 8 ---

3 HR19 In between59L & 60L 43 43, 43 – 53 and 10 53, 53 – 64 and 11 --- ---

4 HR25 Center of 60L 43 43, 43 – 51 and 8 51, 51 – 63 and 12 63, 63 – 73 and 10 ---

5 HR18 6m towards61L from 60L 44 44, 44 – 54 and 10 --- --- ---

6 HR26 At 61L 44 44, 44 – 52 and 8 52, 52 – 64 and 12 64, 64 – 74 and 10 ---

7 HR27 2m behind 62Ltowards 61L 44 44, 44 – 52 and 8 --- --- ---

8 HR28 In line with 63L 20 First gallery at a First gallery at aat centre of distance of 20 m distance of 20 mjunction of 2nd Rise from the 63L --- --- from the 63L

9 HR29 In line with 63L 20 --- --- Second gallery Second galleryedge facing goaf at a distance at a distanceand also 4m from of 20 m from the of 20 m3rd Rise towards 63L2nd Rise


Delineation of two hidden water filled galleries was the matterof great achievement in this direction. It was not intentionallydone. It happened to came in picture, when the coal barrierproving study was continuing. Due to those two extended waterfilled galleries, the solid coal left for 63L was only 10 m (fordeveloped galleries from the 63L) and 20 m (for 63L). As perthe Coal mine regulation 127 (Part 3), it was very less, whichadvocates for 60 m coal barrier against any waterlogged working.After this study and recommendations of report, the minemanagement stopped any further development activity towardsthose water filled galleries with immediate effect and decidedto build stopping to isolate that portion to avert any disastrouswater inundation accident. Earlier, it was mine managementplan to start development towards those galleries, since thosegalleries were not marked on the recent updated undergroundmine plan No HR/SUR/04/02 dated 15/5/2004 available withmine management.

Before nationalization of coal mines and till now, the ownershipof underground coalmines has changed several hands fromtime to time. Therefore, it is advisable to present minemanagements to confirm the authenticity of old mine plansavailable to them with respect to the status of any coal barrierfor presence of any offending gallery, if the barrier is existingagainst any waterlogged workings to avert any disastrouscondition in future and also for the sake of providing safe aswell as better environment to the workers employed there.

6.0 AcknowledgementThe authors are grateful to Director CIMFR, Dhanbad forproviding encouragement and permission to publish the paper.They are also grateful to Dr T. N. Singh (Former Director, CMRI,Dhanbad) for providing suggestions and critical views. Theauthors are also acknowledging the facilities provided by themine management of Hingir Rampur Colliery to execute this

study. The views expressed in this paper are of authors onlyand in no way reflect the views of organization to which theybelong.

7.0 References1. Burdick R G, Syndr L E & Kymbrough W F (1986), “A method for

locating abandoned mine”, USBM publication, RI No. 9030, 27p.

2. Chandra S., Anand Rao V. & Singh V. S. (2004), “A combined approachof Schlumberger and axial pole-dipole configurations for groundwaterexploration in hard rock areas”, Jr. of Current Science, Vol. 86, No.10, May 25, pp. 1437-1442.

3. CMRI Unpubl. Interim Report, Project No. GC/MT/9/2002-03 (2003),“Determination of thickness and strength of coal barrier in betweenTalcher and Handidhua collieries against waterlogged workings,MCL”.

4. CMRI Unpubl. Interim Report, Project No. GC/MT/118/2003-04(2004), “Determination of coal barrier thickness against waterloggedworkings of Orient Area”.

5. CIMFR (Erstwhile CMRI) Unpubl. Interim Report, Project No. GC/MT/26/2006-07. (2006), “Determination of coal barrier thickness inbetween waterlogged old workings and present workings ofBirsinghpur colliery, SECL”.

6. DGMS Circular (2003), “Bagdigi Court of Inquiry”, dated 10-5-2003.

7. Dobrin M B (1960), “Introduction to geophysical prospecting”, Publ.By Mac Raw Hill 446p.

8. Griffith D H & Barker R D (1993), “Two dimension resistivity imagingand modeling in areas of complex geology”, Applied geophysics,vol. 29, No. 1, pp. 211-218.

9. CIMFR (Erstwhile CMRI) Unpubl. Interim Report, Project No. GC/MT/111/2007-08 (2008), “Proving the thickness of intervening barrierbetween 1&2 Pits (Abandoned) Madhusudanpur & Madhusudanpur7 Pit & Incline Mine with delineation of two drifts”.

10. Rakesh and Lele M G (1980), “Water problems in mines”, Publ. byAshalata Gurudham, Varanasi, 400p.

11. Singh T. N. (1997), “Geo-environment of Indian Coalfields”, P 333,Text book, Publ. by Sharda Prakashan, Dhanbad, 1997.

India 41.8% for 7 years up- Exempted 20% to Market N/A 50% : 50%Project Office on produc- 25% [?] price

tion stage

Vietnam 28% up to 50% Potential Exempted - 0% for Exempted Subject to VAT. Max. 25% Sliding(specific rate 1 year tax export Refundable scale

will be decided holiday upon from 15% tobased on and 50% production 30% in

production & reduction favor ofbusiness for 1 or 2 - 10% for Governmentsituation) years domestic

Sources: Various media publications, internal PwC sources, and public seminar materials.* Tax holiday of tax exemption for first 2 years and 50% tax reduction for the following next 3 years is only aplicable for ForeignInvestment Enterprise (FIE). Whilst FIE might not allowed to enter into a PSC for CBM.

6. ConclusionCBM operation ahead of mining operations increases mine safety,generates income from gas sales and generates income fromcarbon credits. Production of CBM, ahead of coal mining operationis the preferred gas drainage technique in many coal-producingcountries including USA, Australia and China. Other countrieslike Indonesia and Vietnam are also working on their fiscal andpolicy framework to support CBM development. India has excellent

prospects for CBM production from active and future coal miningareas, because of favorable geology and presence of multipleand thick coal seams in many basins. Considering these, it canbe concluded that with evolution of framework to regulate CBMdevelopment and exploitation in the country, methane that couldbe a liability for coal mining may be effectively converted into anasset for energy production.



INTRODUCTIONThe phenomenal growth of the Indian Coal Mining Industrywas entirely due to opencast mining, which proved to be moreproductive and economical to cope with the growing demandof coal. With economic liberalization and consequent reductionof import duty on coal, India can no longer rely on opencastmining alone. Introduction of broad scale mechanization inunderground coal sector, the production from which otherwiseremained stagnant has become imperative with an aim toimprove the overall quantity of coal to bridge the ever increasingdemand-supply gap of coal.

Since its nationalization in 1973, the Indian Coal Mining Industryhas shown a steady growth, but almost the entire growth is onaccount of opencast mining. The production from undergroundcoal sector has remained practically stagnant for the last threedecades. The technological upgradation in underground miningmethods in India during this period was very marginal due toinadequate investment and lack of any serious approach forits development. To cope up with the fast growing demand ofcoal, entire attention was given to the comparatively easilyavailable option of opencast mining, which proved to be moreproductive and economical. The underground mines havepractically remained at very low level of production andproductivity and sustained themselves by eating up the profitgained from the open cast mines. Introduction of broad scalemechanization in underground coal sector in India has becomea serious imperative. The challenge today is to make the under-

CONTINUOUS MINER TECHNOLOGY FORMASS PRODUCTION OF COAL– A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

V.M.S.R.Murthy 1 and Anshu Agarwal 2

1. Associate Professor, Department of Mining Engineering, Indian School of Mines University, Dhanbad.E mail: [email protected] 2. Project Student

The paper was presented in International Conference on 'Advanced Technology in Exploration and Exploitationof Minerals' during February 14-16, 2009 at Jodhpur (Rajasthan)

AbstractDeveloping economies, like India, need to focus more on meeting the ever-increasing energy requirements and consequent cost-effective strategies. In India, coal occupies a front seat in its energy share of the country. Of late, coal demand is seen to growrapidly owing to the scarce oil resources. Though, surface mining produces 80 per cent of total share, the environmental andsocio-economic dimensions are posing and continue to pose limitations to apply this popular mining technology in near future.Thus, underground mining, using mechanization, is a necessity now to reach our coal production needs. There is no soft optionother than going for proven and reliable technologies for meeting this difficult task. Experience with sophisticated technologies,like advanced room and pillar, longwall, shortwall and blasting gallery, has provided enough food for thought to analyze theproblems and re-define our goals and technological requirements. This paper attempts to present a mechanized technique forwinning of coal (both in development and extraction phases) - the continuous miner. Continuous miners are operating,primarily, in longwall gate road drivages and also in room and pillar development and extraction drivages. The issues relatedto selection, operation, performance and future technology employing Continuous Miner are discussed. The strong need foradopting total mechanization for realizing good production is stressed.

ground coal mines technologically and economically viablewith radical change in production and productivity level byproducing good quality coal with low ash content fromcomparatively deep-seated deposits at a globally competitiveprice. The economy of underground mines deployingintermediate technology with SDL, LHD, roof bolting andconveyor system as main coal evacuation system is alsolosing its economic viability due to constantly increasing wagestructure and lower production- productivity level owing to cyclicnature of such technology.

Globally, longwall mining has been the accepted massproduction technology and a tool for reducing the accidentrates due to ground movement in different locations. In theUSA, Australia and China, longwall mining represents the mostcost effective way to mine coal. However, there are parametersthat limit a mine’s ability to use longwall technology. Massproduction in underground mines, with continuous miners andshuttle cars has been very impressive in many countries likethe USA, South Africa, Australia and the U.K. Each of thesecountries has established high production levels fromcontinuous miners. In the USA, production levels of 2300 to2500 tons per shift have been achieved from a district deploying2 continuous miners. The seam thickness in these cases wasvarying between 1.5 to 1.8 m. In South Africa, a productionlevel of 0.37 MT per month has been achieved from a districtdeploying 3 continuous miners. This technology is highlyflexible in comparison to longwall and in terms of cost it is


approximately one-third the cost of a longwall set. Theintroduction of continuous miner-shuttle car combination willrequire use of tyre-mounted machines for coal loading. Shuttlecar, generally, requires a working gradient of 1 in 8 or flatter.

Though, the introduction of fully mechanized longwall miningat Moonidih in the year 1978 started at a good note but couldnot ensure the production records speak in its favour. Globally,the same longwall technology took off smoothly showing apromising trend for future. It was also felt by many plannersthat longwall technology would slowly outplay room and pillartechnology. A couple of miscalculations in machinespecifications for extracting hard and structurally disturbedIndian coal, incomplete geo-physical exploration for identifyingsound patches amenable for longwall mining and inexperiencehave contributed in varying degree to the slow start of thispopular mining technology.

The replacement panel drivage requirement in longwall andproduction requirement in shortwall & room and pillar methodscan only be met by continuous miners though roadheaders.However, the average monthly drivages with roadheader neverexceeded 300m. Considering the drivage requirement of 600m per month for preparing a typical longwall replacement panelthe options are very limited. One option that is receiving strikingattention is continuous miner. Countries like the U.S.A., SouthAfrica, Australia, where high capacity longwalls areoutperforming even largest opencast mines, are employingcontinuous miners for this job. India too has moved quicklyinto the same thinking and already more than a dozencontinuous miners are in operation today in various coal miningcompanies.

The drivage scenario in room and pillar mining (also known asbord and pillar mining in India) is alarming. Today 92% ofproduction is achieved from this age-old, much practised andmastered technology. The effor ts made, in terms ofintermediate technology i.e., the introduction of Side DischargeLoaders (SDL) and Load Haul Dumpers (LHD) for eliminatingbasket loading did not yield desired production levels. Themain reasons being low blast pulls achieved, gassinessrestricting the charge per hole and weak roofs limiting thecharge quantities. Considering the problems discussed abovein both the technologies, a non-cyclic and continuous modeof excavation appears to be the most feasible and safe option.Therefore, we can consider continuous miners.

This article outlines systematically the continuous miner forroom & pillar mining, the problems and prospects in India.Advantages and disadvantages of different mining techniquesare outlined in Table 1.

TABLE 1Overview of coal mine development techniques

Technology Advantages Disadvantages

Continuous • Higher mobility • Higher floorMiner impact

• Higher by cyclicundercarriage movementsvelocities

• Higher cuttingpower per m 2of face

Road Header • Higher • Suited only forcutting area middle to highper m 2 of seamsimpact area

• Strong rock >40MPa

Drill and • Highest • DiscontinuousBlast flexibility • Manual process

• Strongest rock • Rough surface

CONTINUOUS MINERS IN MINE DEVELOPMENT &EXTRACTIONContinuous miners were introduced in late seventies as aplanned strategy for mechanizing room and pillar mining andalso for preparing the longwall replacement panels globally. InIndia these machines were used in sixties in a couple of minesand later due to various problems these were abandoned. Thekey considerations for successful sustenance of Continuousminers performance in India are discussed below:

Infrastructure baseIt is quite common that we try to import new technologiesfrom different parts of the world in a bid to boost our production.However, building of an infrastructural base to properly inheritand digest this technology is vital. This appears to be thesingle most important factor that has solely contributed towardsthe failure of such techno-logies in the past. A serious thoughtshould be given for developing the technical base ensuring areasonable market for the entrepreneurs. Two to threeestablished mining machinery manufacturers, namely, BEML,APHML, HEC etc. can individually or jointly provide for such abase.

Adverse working conditionsDifficult working environments and wrong choice of site oftenresulted in low performance in many instances. However, inrecent times technologically smart machines have beenintroduced by Joy, a leading continuous miner manufacturer


of the USA, in India also and slowly SECL, SCCL and ECLhave started realizing the gains of this technology already.

Improper planning leading to wrong place of applicationIt is important to choose the proper place of application forcontinuous miner technology, which is moderately capitalintensive. In some cases, this technology at its very initialstage was introduced in extremely difficult geo-miningconditions such as steep seams having less thickness at greatdepth with very high ambient temperature and Degree-IIIgassiness. Yet in another case, the coal evacuation systemwas extremely circuitous with a series of conveyors. Thisfactor proved a serious bottleneck in improving productivity.

Non-availability of Tailor-made Equipment Suitable for theParticular Geo-mining Conditions in the MinesDue to lack of scientific studies and inadequacy of data relatedwith the specific geo-mining conditions of the mine, none ofthe equipment imported from different sources were tailor madeto adjust to the mining operations. This has adversely affectedthe production potential of the mines and lowered the capacityutilization of the equipment. Institution like ISMU, CIMFR, NIRMhave suitable facilities for rock from cuttability view point.Recent studies done by Department of Mining Engineering,ISMU, for roadheader performance analysis, TBM for NHPC,Surface mining for L&T have proved to be providing a goodfood for thought for machine selection and its performanceanalysis.

Lack of Proper Training Facilities and Failure toGenerate Required SkillIn order to operate efficiently it is required to provide propertraining not only for development of technical skill, but also tobring transformation in total quality of workforce by attitudinalchange and empowerment. This involves gradual upgradationin knowledge level, of work persons and involving them indecision making processes and providing access to relevantand important information. However, there has been failure inthis respect and wherever high mechanization has beenintroduced, these mines are exclusively executive orientedand proper team work required for success of such technologyhas not been built up.

Policy Failure to Develop Proper Cadre SchemeSuitable for High MechanizationThis is a very important area, since it is directly related tomotivation of the work persons working with high mechanization.When speaking of hi-tech work persons, their quality is to beenhanced. Development of their self-esteem may be animportant motivational factor. It is important to recognize theirskill, effort for which a separate cadre scheme needs to beintroduced.

Dependence on Import Items due to Failure in DevelopingEfficient Indigenous Vendors, the Longwall Equipment andSpares

Deterrants in Continuous miner TechnologyFor improved result from Continuous miner technology, thefollowing technological processes are required to keep at highpace-

(i) Multi-level entry systems formations of panels provideenough faces to work.

(ii) High time taken in transportation, shifting and installationof heavy Continuous miner equipment at face.

(iii) Lack of fast moving support systems.

MASS PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY WITH CONTINUOUSMINERCurrent trend of concentrating production at fewer higher outputfaces has focused greater attention on the importance ofreliable rapid roadway drivage to sustain future longwallcapacity. The objective of a low cost highly productive longwallextraction technology is defeated by a high cost low productiveroadway development operation. Continuous miners areconsidered indispensable for achieving targeted drivage needsparticularly, in longwall retreat mining and room and pillar mining.

Drum head type Continuous MinerThese are commonly known as continuous miner class andearlier machines were primarily used in coal mines and thesehave undergone significant design changes yielding higherperformance (Figure 1). The transition took place from ripperbar machines to oscillating head miners to the present versionof fixed drum continuous miners. The greater weight andhorsepower with chainless cutting head improved the abilityof a miner to cut harder strata. Strengths up to 80 MPa caneasily be excavated with production capacities up to 1000tons per shift. Specifications of a typical JOY Continuous Miner12 CM15-10D are described in Table 2. These machines havefound their application even in transportation roadways, paneldevelopment etc. apart from being the main productionmachines.

Continuous miners account for about 45% of underground coalproduction in USA, and also utilize conveyors to transport theremoved coal from the seam. Remote controlled continuousminers are used to work in a variety of difficult seams andconditions and robotic versions controlled by computers arebecoming increasingly common. Continuous Miner used in“room & pillar” system works in a combination of 2 other unitsnamely, the shuttle car & the feeder breaker.


FIG 1- Drum type continuous miner(JOY Mining Machinery)

Mechanised Room And Pillar Mining methodsA room and pillar can be operated as a Conventional sectionor a Supersection.

Equipment requirements for a Conventional Section

Continuous Miner:1 Nos; Shuttle Cars:2 Nos; Roof Bolters: 2Nos; Battery Scoop :1 Nos.;

Feeder Breaker: 1 Nos; District conveyor belt: 1 Nos.

TABLE 2Specifications of a JOY 12CM15-10D, 1050V/50Hz

GeneralMachine Type 12CM 15 Continuous Miner

Dimensions Length 11,020mm x Width 2770mm xHeight 1005mm

Loading Rate 15-27 tonnes/min (15 continuous; 27short duration)

Sump Range 0 – 7.6m/min

Machine Weight Approximately 58 tonnes

Ground Pressure 184kPa

Ground Clearance 305mm

Cooling Through dust suppression sprays

Cutter System

Cutting Height From 2160mm up to 4600mm

Cutting Width 3300mm

Cutter Drum Dia. 1120mm

Drum Speed 50rpm

Bit Tip Speed 175m/min

Bit Type U85 KDH

Bit Attack Angle 50 deg attack angle

Drum Bit Lacing Double scroll. J30 bit blockswith pressed in bit sleeves

Drum Lateral Bit 65mm nominalSpacing

Conveyor

ReversibleConveyor Speed 2.44 m/sec

Conveyor Chain Pitch 82mm

Conveyor Width 762mm

Conveyor Length 3605mm

Conveyor Chassis 305mmDepth

Traction/Chassis

Traction System DC

Tram Speed Slow:4.6m/min; Intermediate:9.2m/min; High:19.8m/min

Track Width 560mm

Basic Chassis Height 1487mm

Dust Suppression

Sprays 11 ITP directional

HydraulicsPump 1 off – Gear type – 24130kPa

(3500psi)ratingFluid Type 60/40 fire retardant fluid or mineral oilTank Capacity 636.5litresElectricalTotal Power 833hp (621kW)

The scoop is a service vehicle widely used in the section.Besides material transportation, which is its major application,it can be used for cleaning the faces, hence, the use of ejectorbucket. Stereotype of a Continuous Miner in a conventionalsection has been shown in Figure 2.

Concept of a SupersectionThe concept of a Supersection is to have two Continuousminers in the section and to organize their cycle to ensurethat at least one Continuous Miner is cutting coal at all times.This will result in the maximum utilization in the district andmore efficient production. Unlike, conventional section wherethe mining of coal is not continuous because the Miner, beinga heavy, slow moving machine, the moving time accounts forquite a considerable proportion of the total cutting cycle timefor the panel (Figure 2).


FIG. 2- Conventional & Super section Method(Jhanjhra, ECL)

Equipment requirements for a SupersectionThe equipment is the same, only quantities vary:Continuous Miners: 2 Nos. ; Shuttle Cars: 3 Nos.

SupportingFast moving supporting equipment is needed for facilitatingrapid drivage using continuous miners. Timely installed supporthas a positive impact in stabilizing the mine openings moreso in case of sedimentary formations like coal where layerstend to sag with time.

The experience shows that production rate of these threesystems will vary roughly in the ratio as below:

Conventional: 100 T/hr ;Super Section: 160 T/hr

CONTINUOUS MINER TECHNOLOGY – SOMERECENT ADVANCES

Multi-MotorEach machine employs multi-motor concept with out-boardaccess to motors, gear cases, controllers and other majorcomponents. The philosophy calls for the isolation of majorcomponents for easier troubleshooting and maintenance. Thecontinuous miners use individual motors with direct drivetransmissions to power the cutter, traction, gathering andhydraulic systems. It permits service or repair quickly andeasily, thus reducing downtime and maintenance costs.

Flexi HeightThe continuous miner product range is segmented by miningheight requirements into three machine classes for low, mediumand high-seam applications. Although the features vary foreach machine in order to maximize productivity and reliabilityin a given seam, these features have in common basic designprinciples that put machines on the leading edge of undergroundmining technology and produce the lowest cost per ton to thecustomer. The Continuous Miner provides the ideal combinationof cutting power, proven components and reliability for lowerto mid-seam applications in a variety of materials. Built towithstand the most rigorous conditions, the Continuous Mineroffers optimum service life and return on investment.

Flexi DrumThe Continuous Miner accommodates a wide variety of cuttingoptions. Available in Ripperveyor or solid head models and indrum diameters ranging from 30 to 44 inches, the cuttingsystem can be sized to match seam conditions. Rated cuttingpower, as high as 500 hp (373 kW) is available within thisproduct line.

OptidriveToday’s Continuous Miner traction system builds on years offield-tested performance to offer an even more durable,maneuverable package. Patented OPTIDRIVE AC electronicsor it’s precursor, the DC microprocessor drive is coupled to acompact all-gear transmission to provide smooth, reliableservice. Cutter motor feedback and traction differential featuresoptimize sump performance in even the most demandingapplications. Optional track frame widths are offered to suitspecific floor and entry conditions.

Remote ControlThe Continuous Miner with remote control and flooded beddust collector options provide deep cut capability. Deeper cutsmean fewer place changes, which in turn means increasedproduction.

Wethead TechnologyThe wethead technology incorporates a fine spray behind eachcutting bit on the cutter drums which potentially reducesfrictional ignition occurrences and respirable dust levels. Thewater spray acts as both a cooling and a wetting agent inorder to control both problems at the same time. The spraysalso provide lubrication, thus improving bit life. It does all thiswhile still consuming less water than standard miner dustsprays. The heart of the system is a back-to-back carbonface water seal designed to run dry for extended periods oftime and last from rebuild to rebuild before refurbishment. Itcan even be replaced underground. For applications wheremachine-cooling water cannot be discharged onto the cutmaterial through water sprays, the continuous miner canincorporate an onboard closed loop cooling system. Thecoolant is pumped through the electrical enclosures andmotors, through an onboard heat exchanger, and returned toan onboard coolant reservoir. Coolant flow and temperatureare monitored through JNA control system to insure properoperation. A Continuous Miner water spraying mechanismunder test at the factory has been shown in Figure 3.

Other Distinguishing FeaturesDual direct drive motors power the Continuous Miner conveyingsystem loading arms and chain via reliable, time-testedtransmissions. The conveyor chain includes universal links toprolong chain life, and the cam style adjusting mechanismautomatically compensates for chain slack as the conveyorswings. Recent enhancements to the system include increasedabrasion resistant material use along the chain path and loading


arms. The Continuous Miner’s rugged framework is unmatchedin this machine class. Heavy-duty covers, rub rails andductwork afford protection to machine components. Modularhydraulic components simplify hosing and improvemaintenance. A number of available machine configurationsand options give customers the needed flexibility in addressingvaried mining environments.

FIG 3 - Continuous Miner with a fine spray behindeach cutting bit (JOY Mining Machinery)

These machines are successfully operating in trona, gyp- sum,potash and salt mines around the world. These wide-head,single pass machines offer a number of roof drill, cutter headand conveyor configurations to suit a wide variety of entrydevelopment extraction applications. The combination ofcontinuous miners and roof drills makes an unbeatable matchfor reliability, availability and low operating costs. Utilizing aseparate independent drill frame unit, satellite miners offersimultaneous cutting and bolting to provide maximumproductivity and entry adv-ance rates. The main frame hasbeen specially designed tominimize chassis width and fit avariety of roof bolting patterns. Drum and gathering headextensions enhance clean-up operations and maneuverabilitywhen place changing.

Features• Back-to-back carbon-face water seal• Water spray behind each cutting bit wets suspended dust

at point of creation• Water spray cools sparks at point of creation• Water spray lubricates cutting bits• 30 gpm (114 lpm) water flow required• Dedicated in-line filtration

Benefits• Long life and dry-running ability

• Further reduction in respirable dust levels and increasedvisibility

• Fewer face ignitions• Lower bit consumption rate• Less water consumption than standard dust sprays• Fewer blocked spray nozzles• Installation of quiet, high efficiency scrubber fans.• Limit the amount of time the conveyors run void of

material.• Complex gear tooth geometry to aid in the reduction of

noise inside cutter head gear cases.

Continuous Miner Supporting MachinesShuttle car is the first and foremost equipment. The coal fromthe continuous miner machine is loaded on a shuttle car(Figure4).

FACTORS INFLUENCING PERFORMANCE & SELECTIONCRITERIARoadway parameters influencing them with their mutualrelationships are discussed below:

Rock ParametersIntact properties• Cuttability: Ease with which rock can be cut• Cutting wear: Abrasivity, impact resistance, durability and

thermal properties

Rock mass properties• Discontinuities: Volumetric intensity, orientation, shear

strength and unsupported span• Mixed face conditions: Strata variation along excavation

line

FIG 4 - The continuous miner loading a shuttle car(JOY Mining Machinery)


EnvironmentWater: From within rock mass, from dust suppression• Roadway geometry: Shape, gradient, size and insitu

Stresses

Machine ParametersCutter head design• No. of tools, Tool type: Radial/Forward attack, tip geometry

and tip carbide grade and Lacing pattern

Weight• Lifting forces, Head speed, Head power, Rigidity of

machine construction

Operational character• Profiling and Guidance

Machine Selection CriteriaBackground of the Company

Machine Specifications

• Cutting range: Determination of excavation area androadway profile

• Machine weight: Adequate to offer overall stability to themachine while cutting in different formations

• Machine dimensions: Smaller overall dimensions implytighter turning radius.

• Electric Motors: Whether the motors are water cooled orair cooled or continuously rated etc.

Production Rate Comparison

Cost –effectiveness

Comparison of Spare Part Prices and Availability

Technical ComparisonUndercarriages or crawler tracksCrawler transmissionCrawler drives for wet headingsTurret (turn table) assembliesCutter boomCutter head designCutter picksStructural designChain conveyor and gathering assembliesHydraulic systemOperator’s stationStabilizerDust collectorsConveyor and bumper assembly

PERFORMANCE PREDICTION MODELSPerformance prediction is an essential part to facilitateContinuous Miner selection and use. Two important aspectsof machine performance need to be assessed. Firstly, thecutting or penetration rates must be assessed and secondly,the overall system performance and reliability taking intoaccount the machine utilization aspects must be evaluated.Prediction of cutting rates requires information on rock materialproperties, rock mass properties and machine characteristics.The link between these three groups of data is provided byrock-tool interaction models and the result of applying such amodel is an estimate for prediction of performance. ContinuousMiner performance has been predicted by many researchersby conducting laboratory based cutting rig tests. Manycorrelations relating various pick parameters with penetrationrate, specific energy consumption etc. have been developedand are being used for estimating the performance and powerrating of the Continuous miners.

Performance Evaluation CriteriaCutting rateThis is the rate at which rock is excavated usually expressedin m 3 /hr. Care must be taken whether quoted cutting ratesrefer to ICR (instantaneous cutting rate) or OCR (operationalcutting rate). Cutting rates quoted under highly controlledconditions such as a research field test, in which cutting timeis recorded as actual time spent in cutting determined frominstrument measurements of power consumption against timeare ICR. Under typical operational conditions cutting time isgenerally taken synonymous with utilization. Minor delaysresulting from adjusting boom position at the end of eachcutting traverse or reduced rate of production during finalprofiling are neglected. Cutting rates determined using utilizationas the cutting time are referred as operational cutting rates.Clearly performance prediction based on instantaneous cuttingrates without an appropriate cutting time correction will beoverly optimistic. Back analysis suggests that operationalcutting rates commonly have values in the range of 0.45 to0.60 times the instantaneous cutting rates. For final profilingthis value may drop to 0.3. During bulk production, anexperienced operator may achieve a ratio as high as 0.85.

Specific energyThis is a commonly used measure of cuttability and is definedas work done to excavate a unit volume of rock. In rock cutting,specific energy should not be thought of as a fundamentalproperty of the rock. Rather, it is a function of rock properties,cutting tool design and cutting tool interaction. Measuredspecific energies are many times greater than theoreticallydetermined values, the difference being accounted for in energylost due to frictional heating, vibration etc..

Penetration rateThis is the rate of advance measured during cutting cyclenormally expressed in m/hr. For practical purposes


instantaneous and operational penetration rates are consideredequal.

UtilizationThis is the time remaining for excavation when planned andunplanned machine stoppages have been accounted for.Stoppages are required for a variety of reasons includingsupport installation, survey work, pick replacement, routineand non routine maintenance, muck haulage delays, shiftchanges etc.

Advance rateThis is the rate of face advance usually expressed in metre/day, metre/shift etc. and is given by,

AR = (OCR/Face Area)* Utilization time

Where, AR = advance rate and OCR = Operational cuttingrate

Rock mass cuttability index by BILGIN (1977)

The rock mass cuttability index proposed by Bilgin is computedas shown below:

RMCI = UCS * (RQD)2/3 / 100

OCR = 28.06* 0.997RMCI* HP/95

Where,

RQD = Rock quality designation

UCS = Unconfined compressive strength in kN/cm 2

RMCI = Rock mass cuttability index

Instantaneous Cutting Rate (ICR) estimation by FOWELL(1986)

Experimental trials conducted with the actual cutting systemwere anlysed and the following relations were proposed byFowell for roadheaders:

BF/SA = 41/10* (A/R) 0.49

ICR = SA* (A/R)*RPM* 60/100

Where,

BF = Boom force in kN

SA = Swept area in sq.m

A/R = Advance per revolution

RPM = Revolution per minute of cutter head

PERFORMANCE OF CONTINUOUS MINERTECHNOLOGY IN INDIAChirimiri Project, SECLEstablishing seven individual records and exceptionalproduction performance, the system has been operating in aroom and pillar system at the Chirimiri Anjun Hill Mine in theSouthern Eastern Coal Fields (Table 3). The system iscomprised of a continuous miner, two shuttle cars, aQuadbolter mobile roof bolting machine, a feeder breaker andelectrical distribution system. To date the de-pillaring operationshave been very successful providing the only approved methodof mechanized de-pillaring in India.

Table 3Continuous miner performance in Chirimiri, SECL, India

Best-ever monthly development 44,036 tonnesin the industry (March, 2003)

Best day (December 26,2002) 2,640 tonnesBest daily advance 89 m

(December 26, 2002)Total first year production 450,705tonnes

Jhanjra Project, ECL, IndiaAfter the installation of Continuous miner system in December2007, ECL has recovered from the losses and had a steeprise in its profit not only because of an increase in production(Figure 5) but also due to a decrease in the cost of production.

FUTURE TECHNOLOGYBolting and Surge CarCSIRO is developing a new machine called AutonomousConveying-Bolting Module (ACBM), which will insert the roofbolts concurrently with coal cutting and coal haulage systems.The machine consists of an automatic roof and rib boltingsystem and will be located behind the CM. A conveyor isintegrated into the machine to allow the coal to pass through.From there the coal is passed over to a continuous haulagesystem or a shuttle car. The ACBM will convey coal at 25tonnes per minute and insert four roof bolts and two rib boltsautonomously in less than 5 minutes. It will have 200 roofbolts and 100 rib bolts onboard [M05CUN]. It works togetherwith a remote controlled miner (for example ABM20-S3) up-front and it can install a light pattern of bolts remotely fromtwo 25-bolt carousels. The use of self-drilling roof and rib boltsand bulk chemicals are an integral part of this project which isalso the main problem in developing this machine. Theproduction target is to develop 12 – 15 m/hr. 3d drawings ofthe ACMB and its integration in the face cycle can be found inthe Figure 6.


cycle, even during one cycle of operation is far from beingcontinuous. Diring the ‘up’ shear cycle, the material builds upin front of the machine to the angle of repose without reallybeing loaded. When the machine sumps in at the top, the cutmaterial loads as the machine advances into the working pile.During the down shear, all the material in front of machine isloaded, as the cutter head shears down into it.

CONCLUSIONSMechanization of roadway drivages in coal and coal measurestrata is an area of key concern for the coal industry to meetits drivage needs and fulfill the production targets. Experiencewith high-tech system of fully-mechanized continuous minerdemonstrates that a broad classification of systemspecifications based on geotechnical studies has to be evolvedand efforts must be mounted to monitor the key elementsaffecting performance. The design variables such as size,shape, power can be custom built. Simplified maintenanceand easier servicing practices through modular self-containedassemblies are currently available. The operational variablessuch as the pick cutting speed, thrust, ground pressure,additional stabilizing measures, tramming speed, gradient, highpressure water-jet assisted cutting, mode of free facegeneration etc. can be optimized subject, however, to site-specific geo-mining constraints.

The Continuous Miner performance is influenced by methodof working (longwall or room & pillar). Machines working inroom and pillar mining have averaged a performance of 80 to100 m per day where as machines working in longwalldevelopment averaged a value between 8 to 10 m per day.Performance was found to vary depending on strength of rock.Machines working in softer coals yielded better averages thanthose working in hard coals. Selection of Continuous Minerbased on strength would therefore result in high machineavailabilities and performance. Relevant laboratory studies suchas Cerchar Abrasivity index for pick consumption assessmentand Cerchar Hardness Index for penetration rate predictioncan be done at ISM University and similar studies for theselection and prediction of hourly performance of roadheader,tunnel boring machines, shearer, surface miner have alreadybeen done for different mining and tunneling projects.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTThe authors are thankful to the management of Jhanjhra, ECLfor providing necessary help in collecting the data during aProject Work. The views expressed are of the authors and notnecessarily of the organization to which they belong.

REFERENCESMurthy, V M S R, 1995. “Roadheaders and Continuous Miners – The TwoPromising Options for Future Coal Production from Underground Mines”,in Minetech. 2008. Coal in Power, in Power Line.Winkel, R M., 1995. Analysis of Longwall Development Systems inAustralian Underground Hard Coal Mines, Benchmarking and Optimisationthesis, BGMR, Australia.Department of Energy (March,1995) a report prepared by EnergyInformatics Department “Longwall Mining “.Joy Mining Machinery Inc, 2008. Machine specifications [online]. Availablefrom: www.joy.com.DBT GmbH Industries, 2008. [online]. Available from: <www.dbt.de>.

FIG 5 - Bar-chart showing the production scenario ofJhanjra Project, ECL (2007-08)

FIG 6 -Autonomous Conveying & Bolting Module withContinuous Miner & Shuttle Car (BGMS, Australia)

Continuous Miner Time CycleThere is no standard method of operation for the ContinuousMiner cutting cycle with most mines adopting cycles to suittheir own operations. The standard machine has a 13.5ft(4.054m) wide, 4.6 ft (1.381m) diameter cutting head, and cutsa height of 15 ft (4.504m).• The machine sumps in at roof level for a distance

dependent on the mineral, but typically to around 650mm in salt, this takes around 40 seconds.

• The cutter drum shears down through the salt to floorlevel taking around 55 seconds.

• The machine backs up to create a smooth floor and tracksforward to the mineral taking around 7 seconds.

• The machine sumps in at the floor level a distance ofaround 350mm, taking 25 seconds.

• Finally machine shears back up to roof level in around40 seconds.

One whole cycle gives nominally 39 inches (99.06 cm) ofadvance, equating to 47 tonnes. The total time for one cuttingcycle is 167 seconds. This gives an instantaneous cuttingrate over a single cycle of 1040 tonnes/hr. However, the loading


SIGNIFICANT POINTS FROM PAUL COMMITTEE REPORT“Paul Committee” consisting of Sri. K Paul, Dr. A.K. Ghose, Dr.N.M. Raju, Dr. Venkateshwarlu, Sri A.K. Sahay, SriK.B.Goswami, Sri K.B. Trehan & Sri A.K. Rudra submittedtheir expert opinion on the roof control/ management in IndianCoal Mines. The report was submitted in 1989 and it is stillworking like technical guide to support engineers.

Many new ideas on the Roof reinforcement theory have sincecropped in but underlying “basics” presented in the PaulCommittee report hold good today also. There-fore, authorproposes to make analysis based on this report only.

Review by Paul Committee (Extracts on relevant issues)

1. A large number of accidents (about 45%) take place infreshly exposed areas.

2. The thickness of the fall was less than 50cms in 80% ofthe cases.

3. Falls occurred in all types of roof with a higher incidencein coal/shale roof. Geological disturbance was reportedto be the main contributory cause in sand stone roofs.

SCIENCE AND ART OF ROOF REINFORCEMENT TECHNOLOGYAND ITS EFFICACY IN INDIAN COAL MINES

N.P. Bhati 1

AbstractThere has been an apprehension in the minds of some people that roof reinforcement technology widely used in Australia,South Africa & U.S.A. is significantly costly and can not be afforded by Indian coal industry. Now with the development ofalmost every item indigenously, this total system has become not only more economical but providing much superior stratamanagement.

The process demands scientific analysis of the problem and there after skilful implementation of the conclusions.

The roof bolting got a scientific boost in India after the publication of Paul committee report in 1990. In this paper, the authordescribes with a real example that the proper scientifically execution of the support plan is financially advantageous & at thesame time much safer.

There has been an apprehension in the minds of some people that Roof reinforcement technology widely used in Australia;South Africa & U.S.A. is significantly costly and can not be afforded by Indian coal industry. This statement was true fewyears back. Now with the development of almost every item indigenously, this total system has become not only more economicalbut providing much superior strata management. Roof bolting got scientific boost in India after the publication of Paulcommittee report. Therefore it is essential to briefly mention significant issues highlighted by this report.

The process demands scientific analysis of the problem and there after skilful implementation of the conclusions.

1. Managing Director, Spectrum Coal & Power Ltd, 202, Cyber Heights, Road no .2, Banjara Hills,Hyderabad-33 E mail: [email protected]

The paper was presented in International Conference on 'Advanced Technology in Exploration and Exploitationof Minerals' during February 14-16, 2009 at Jodhpur (Rajasthan)

4. More than 70% of the mines were reportedly dry andonly two mines attributed heavy water seepage as thecause of the roof deterioration.

5. Where the roof falls took place, either no supports wereprovided or the supports provided were inadequate orinstalled improperly. Conventional timber supports werefound to be inadequate in a majority of the cases.

Recommendations of the Committee (only relevantportion)

1. The geomechanical classification developed by CMRS-ISM is applicable to Indian ground conditions. Any supportplan should first indicate the class of roof & the rockmars rating (RMR) obtained from this approach.

2. The experts group recommends that, in general extendeduse of roof bolting, as a method of support would haveto become an integral part of future mining system.

The last Para of recommendations, states “Cogni-zant of theabove Philosophy on levels of acceptable risks, the expertgroup is convinced that roof bolting has much to offer as a


fast and reliable primary support system for coal miningindustry which can usher in a new era of technical change.”

The committee had at various times expressed concern forthe non-availability of user-friendly roof hole drilling machine(for bolting) & also on the cost & shelf life of the resin.

The Paul committee guidelines are in the use since 1990.

Review of Progress by DGMSDirectorate General of Mines Safety had published a centenarypublication on the “progression of roof bolting technique inIndian coal mines”. The relevant observa-tions based on thestudy of the 15 Coal Mines are

1. Roof Bolting was applied in most of the mines (about80%) without assessing the support requirement on thebasis of scientific studies, leading to either underdesigning or over designing of the support system.

2. Monitoring of the support performance did not receivedue attention. In all the cases the percentage testing ofbolts for their anchorage capacity was very low.

3. No studies were conducted to monitor the Stratabehaviors, which is essential to understand themechanism of roof bolting/ roof reinforcement systemsunder particular Geo-Mechanical regime.

Anchorage capacity observed was varying between 0 to 5.4tonnes.

Anchorage developed in a test case (using cement capsules)after 2 hrs,8 hrs, & 24 hrs setting with 22 mm diameter boltwere of the order of 1T, 2.5T and 6.0 T only.

THEORY OF THE ROOF REINFORCEMENT TECHNOLOGYIn this paper we would mention only the basics principle. Wemust accept that, due to the variable nature and complicatedfailure mechanism & varieties of rocks, the interaction betweenrock mass & reinforcing elements become complexphenomena.

Objectives of support systemThe prime objectives of the support system are to:

1. Control deformation of the rock at earliest.

2. To reduce the long-term movement to minimum.

3. In general to help the rock mass to support itself.

Therefore in general, reinforcement modifies the internalstrength and deformation characteristics of a rock mass. Thusreinforcement action is linked to the interaction of reinforcingelements with rock mass discontinuities.

Theoretical concept of fully encapsulated boltEliminating complexities, the process can be summarized ina following way:

There is a bond between steel bolt & encapsulation and alsobetween encapsulation & rock.

The moment rock mass start movement, the bond at rock-end offers resistance (limited to its shear strength).

Assuming that bond strength at steel/encapsulation contactis more, the load gets transferred to steel i.e. reinforcement.

Steel bolt is glued to the upper-rocks, therefore, ultimatelyload is transferred to stable rocks.

In addition to the maximizing of residual strength, the boltshall also manage to bring down the collar load.

This is achieved by providing initial tension to the steel bolt.

Determination of support resistanceTo determine the requirement of support resistance, broadlythree approaches are in use:

1. Empirical method: using rock mass classification likeBieniawiski RMR, Barton’s “Q”, CMRI-ISM RMR orCMRR.

2. Analytical Method: when failure mechanism &discontinuity can be predicted easily. This can be applied.

3. Computational method: Based on boundary element, finiteelement etc.

Without going in to the details, we would first use the empiricalmethod as recommended by Paul Committee. As per the Geo-mechanic’s classifications system (CMRI-ISM), the roof hasbeen classified in five categories.

RMR Roof class Roof Description0-20 V Very poor.

20-40 IV Poor

40-60 III Fair

60-80 II Good

60-100 I Very Good.

An empirical formula giving rock load in tonnes/m 2 has alsobeen specified.

Load = s x d (1.7-0.037 RMR +0.0002RMR 2 )

Where S= span/width in meters.d= density in t/m 3

RMR = Rock Mass Rating as per CMRI-ISMClassification.

ACTUAL IMPLEMENTATIONALL above concepts were utilized in one of the projects, wherecontinuous miner was to be introduced. CMRI, Nagpur centre


was engaged to help the management in detailed study. Initialcalculations were done using empirical methods & were alsosimulated on computer using FLAC3D & later on validated byactual monitoring.

Site conditionsWidth of proposed gallery : 5.4mDensity of roof rock : 1.34 t/m 3RMR : 33Load density : 5.4*1.34*(1.7-

.037*33+0.0002*33 2 ): 5.03 t/m 2

ObservationsBed separation at : 1.0m above roof levelBed separation infirst 48 hrs at 1.5m : 0.5mmShort encapsulation testfor 30 cm lengths. : 15-18.5 tonnes (test stopped)

RequirementTarget Factor of safety : 2.25Target Supportdensity (t/m2) : 11.32

RecommendationsBolt length : minimum 1.5m encapsulationActual bolt length : 1.8mNo. of bolts per row : 4Spacing between rows : 1.2mSupport densityprovided assuming19t bolt strength : 11.73 t/m 2

Material specificationsQuality of steel for bolts : Fe-500 TMTNominal Diameter of bolt : 20mmYield strengthof bolt (tested) : 175 kNTensile strength ofbolt (tested) : 200 kNFast setting Resin : 24* 250mm on topSlow setting resin : 24*600mm lower part

Bolt with proper dome plate & dome washer & shear pin.Pneumatic bolter (Allied Mining Company, Nagpur)Compressors installed on surface.

CostEstimated cost/ tonne of coal : Rs 60-70Estimated cost/t with normalCement capsule bolting : Rs 180-190

ComparisonThe cement capsule system can not match with continuousMiner technology, the cost comparison has been done just todemonstrate the superiority of scientific bolting.

Fully Encapsulated

Cement Resin

Support density required (t/sqm) 11.32 11.32

Capacity of bolt (tonnes) 6 19

No. of bolts required/m2 1.88 0.59

Area supported (m 2 )/bolt 0.53 1.68

Coal produced (t/bolt) 2.13 6.73

Cost of the support SystemCapital Cost for Cement EncapsulationNormally, hand held electric drill m/c is being used, though itputs lot of dust on the driller. Driller has an obvious tendencyto drill 60-80 degree inclined holes. This brings down theeffective support column. The capital cost of the drill, panel &one cable would be around Rs. 46000.

Capital Cost for Resin EncapsulationEither hydraulic or Pneumatic roof bolting machine is required.

Capital cost of drill, compressor & accessories would be aboutRs.6.5 Lakhs.

An additional provision of Rs 3.2 Lakhs for air pipe line hasalso been considered.

OperationNormally 3 persons are putting 15-bolts/shift using hand heldelectric drill machine with cement encapsulation. Normally 3persons can put 30-40 bolts/shift using Pneumatic / hydraulicBolter along with resin.

Operational Elements Cement ResinCapacity to install bolts/shift 15 35Manpower required/shift 3 3Earning per man shift /EMS (Rs) 900 900Length of hole (mm) 1500 1500Diameter of Hole (mm) 43 28Bolt diameter (mm) 22 22Annular Volume (mm3) 1608750 353571Vol, of capsule (mm3) 362057 181028No. of Capsules Required. 5 2Cost of capsules (Rs) 20 50Total Material cost/bolt 301.05 347.08Other cost(Salary, power, AO,misc, Int., Dep.) 93.08 69.15Total cost/bolt 394.13 416.23Coal Produced/ bolt 2.13 6.73

Support cost/tonne 185.38 61.82



I – BELLARY – HOSPET CHAPTERMEAI, Bellary – Hospet chapter organized a technical papermeeting on August 29, 2009 at Hotel Malligi, Hospet. ShriNagesh Shenoy, Secretary in his introductory remark invitedmembers to present technical talks and mooted an idea ofinstituting awards for best presentation. As a policy, it wasdecided to avoid the formalities of inauguration and devotemore time for presentations.

Shri B. Arunachalam, Manager Mines Group VocationalTraining Society, (MGVTS), Hospet presented a paper on‘Erosion and Sediment Control’ detailing the necessity ofcontrol and measures involved in different locations like mine,haul road, waste dump, ore stack yard etc. and mitigatingmeasures.

Shri Arunachalam also presented a talk on the differencesbetween lease boundary and mine boundary. Shri Nagaraj,Director, Trade Vision informed about the various businessescarried out by their group. Shri Raghuram Rao, VP, Puzzolana,informed about new ARAI approved 5 tonne capacity totallyindigenous wheel loader and highlighted the salient featuresof the wheel loader. Shri Prakash, Regional Manager, Kobelcodisplayed a video on Kobelco excavators.

The meeting ended with vote of thanks proposed by ShriMadhusudhana and was followed by dinner hosted by TradeVision / Puzzolana.

II – MINUTES OF MEAI FIRST COUNCIL MEETING (2009-11)The first council meeting (2009-11) of MEAI was held on 13-09-2009 at 17.30 hrs. at J.N. Tata Auditorium, Indian Instituteof Science, Bengaluru (Karnataka). The meeting was organizedto coincide with the seminar organized by the Mines SafetyAssociation of Karnataka, and was hosted by the Bangalorechapter of MEAI. Shri V.D. Rajagopal, President, MEAI wasin the chair.

At the outset Shri V.D. Rajagopal, President MEAI waswelcomed to the first council meeting of 2009-11 by Shri T.Victor, VP-III-MEAI. This was followed by welcome to ShriV.D. Rajagopal by Shri D.R. Verranna, Secretary MEAI,Bangalore chapter, with a memento and a shawl. Shri V.D.Rajagopal welcomed all the office bearers, council members,chapter chairmen and secretaries and special invitiesattending to the meeting.

In response to his felicitations Shri V.D. Rajagopal thanked allthe office bearers, council members, past presidents and allthe members of MEAI for electing him as the President forthe term 2009-2011. He assured that he would try his best totake MEAI to greater heights during his tenure as Presidentand expressed his thanks to the Bangalore chapter forfelicitating him.

MEAI NEWSThe minutes of 12th council meeting (2007-09) were confirmedand some important points are covered below –

(A) The Secretary General informed that exemption undersection 80G of Income tax has been obtained.

(B) Warm farewell and congratulations were extended to ShriR.P. Gupta, President (2007-09) and his team of officebearers and council members for their renderingmemorable services which were placed on record.

(C) The term of Ammendments Committee for recommendingthe amendments on some of the existing Rules &Regulations of MEAI was extended upto 31-03-2010.

(D) The following committees have been constituted forsmooth running of the Association.

1) Site and Building, 2) Policy issues, 3) Public hearings,4) Publications, 5) Membership drive, 6) Seminars andtrainings, 7) Finance, 8) Search for intellectual talentand consultancy, and 9) International relations. Thenames under the committees will be finalized shortly.

(E) The Secretary General informed that Shri A. Bagchhi,VP-II, while participating in a seminar in South Africa,has been authorized to interact with the members ofSouthern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy SouthAfrica in order to explore the possibility of having a tie-up with SAIMM by MEAI.

(F) The following names of co-opted council members wereannounced –1. Shri N.K. Nanda2. Prof. A.C. Narayana3. Shri S. Tiu4. Shri B. Ramasubba Reddy5. Shri B.P. Pandey

The above points are only these which do not require anyconfirmation. The remaining points will be covered only afterconfirmation in the second council meeting proposed to beheld at Hyderabad on 15 November 2009.

III – TAMILNADU CHAPTERDr. Lokandy Ajaykumar, Head,Department of Mining Engineering,Annamalai University, Guindy, Chennai– 600 025 and Chairman of MEAITamilnadu chapter, has been nominatedas one of the members of the ExpertAppraisal Committee-2 (Mining) in theMining sector for Environment ImpactAssessment of Mining projects from thestates of A.P., Chhattisgarh, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala,Maharashtra and Tamilnadu requiring environmental clearances


under Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 2006(vide Letter No. J-15012/1/2002-IA.11(M)) dated 09-09-2009signed by Dr. P.L. Ahujarai, Director and Member Secretary.

MEJ extends many congratulations to Dr. L. Ajay Kumar.

IV – HYDERABAD CHAPTERMEAI, Hyderabad Chapter organized a meeting on 20-09-2009at 10.30 hrs. in the conference hall of APMDC, Ameerpet,Hyderabad to discuss the draft Mines and Minerals (Scientific)Development & Regulation) Act 2009 in order to form theconsidered opinion of MEAI and represent to the appropriateauthorities in Govt. of India for their consideration. Shri V.D.Rajagopal, MEAI, President was in the chair. Other dignitarieson the dais were Shri T.V. Chowdary, Former MEAI Presidentand Shri A. Sivasankar, Chairman, MEAI, Hyderabad Chapter.

At the outset Shri V.D. Rajagopal welcomed the dignitariesand members. About 100 + members attended.

Flower bouquets were presented to the dignitaries on the dais.Shri V.D. Rajagopal first introduced the objective of the meeting.Shri T.V. Chowdary and Shri A. Sivasankar also spoke tohighlight the necessity of this meeting.

All the sections of the draft were discussed one by one anddeliberations continued for the whole day. Some of the pointswhich could not be completed were discussed on the nextday (22-09-2009) at 18.00 hrs. and the recommendations werefinalized and forwarded to the Government of India forconsideration.’

V – MEAI – HQ, HYDERABADMEAI Head Office observed Gandhi Jayanti on 02-10-2009at MEAI, Head Quarters, at F-608, Raghavaratna Towers,Hyderabad – 500 001. Shri V.D. Rajagopal, President was inthe chair. Other dignitaries on the dais were Shri V.S. Rao andShri T.V. Chowdary (Former MEAI, Presidents). In the historyof MEAI, Gandhi Jayanti was observed for the first time byMEAI. His teachings and ideals were remembered. All thedignitaries and many members paid glowing tributes to theMahatma. Homage was paid to him by observing two minutessilence.

VI – GOA CHAPTERMEAI Goa Chapter organized a technical meeting on 04-09-2009 at hotel Mandovi, Goa on ‘Recent development in loadingunits for mining operations’ At the outset Shri K.D. Kulkarni,Chairman Goa chapter welcomed the guests and the members.About 70 members attended the session. Shri L. Dongchun,President, M/s. Liugong India (P) Ltd. briefed on his companyin China and India. Shri Sunil Sapru, Director, Sales, Marketingand Product Support) informed the audience the latestdevelopments in loading units. Shri T. Victor, VP-III, MEAIappreciated the products presented by M/s. Liugong India (P)Ltd. The session ended with vote of thanks proposed by Shri

Kishore Haldankar, Secretary, Goa chapter and was followedby a dinner. The entire programme was sponsored by M/s.Liugong India (P) Ltd.

VII – SHRI A. BAGCHHI, VP-II VISITS SOUTH AFRICAShri A. Bagchhi, MEAI Vice-President-II had gone to SouthAfrica to attend the 7th International Heavy MineralsConference in Drakensberg. During his stay he had a meetingwith Mr. Joshua C Ngoma, President of SAIMM on 20th & 21st

Sept. 2009 at Drakensberg. A steering committee meetingwas also held on 21st Sept. 2009 in the evening whererepresentatives of SME, AUSMIN and SAIMM participatedin which Shri Bagchhi was invited to attend on behalf of MEAI.

Shri A. Bagchhi meeting the President of SAIMM

Shri Bagchhi emphasized in the meeting the importance ofclose interactions between MEAI and SAIMM and pointedout that MEAI is having similar close co-operation betweenSME and AUSMIN. The President and Manager were keen toforge some sort of co-operation with MEAI.

VIII – VERAVAL - PORBANDER CHAPTERMEAI - VP Chapter organised a technical paper meeting on07-10-2009 at GHCL Ltd., Sanjaynagar. Shri N.K. Nuwal,Chapter Chairman welcomed the guests, members andinvities. 33 members attended the meeting includingrepresentatives from mines at Kacchh. Shri S.P. Goyal,RCOM, Udaipur was also present on the occasion.

(L-R) S/Shri Arun G. Thakur, L. Dongchun, Sunil Sapru,K.D. Kulkarni, T. Victor, R.J. Thakur & Kishore Haldankar.


The above analysis is based on certain assumptions. Resultwill vary in each case. But it clearly breaks the myth thatmechanized drilling along with resin is always costly.Incidentally, the support resistance offered by cementencapsulation is many times below 6 tonnes. In any mine,where the work norms for bolting crew is 10 bolts/shift, theoverall cost of each bolt will become Rs 426.27, which will bemore than resin system on bolt to bolt basis also.

CONCLUSIONS1. Future support system is likely to move around “bolting

technology”.

2. Cost per tonne in under ground mines is already high. Boltingis a grey area worth attacking. It can improve safety alongwith economics.

3. Take first step to scientifically examine the supportrequirement.

4. Never evaluate on piecemeal basis.

5. Evaluate the economics of support system in totality, includingthe effect on the productivity of the district/ mine.

6. Resin bolting along with suitable bolting machine is likely tobe more economical & much safer in “Fair & Poor” roofs.

7. Commission a reliable system which will give consistentlydesigned support resistance.

8. Monitor the performance and apply necessary corrections.

REFERENCESPaul committee report, 1990.

Progression of roof bolting technique in Indian coal mines-by DGMSCircular -Cir. Tech. Sapicom 3/1993 and 6/1993

Report by CMRI on the referred project Design of safe cut outdistance & rock reinforcement system for bord & pillar mining usingcontinuous miner in Kumbharkhani mine Wani (north) area, WCL,Nagpur.

CORRIGENDUMIn August 2009 MEJ on page 21 (Coloured Centre-spread)below the photographs, please read Vice-President-I forDr. S.K. Sarangi and Vice-President-III for Shri T. Victor inplace of Vice-Chairman.


Shri P. Sarkar, Sr. GM (Mines), GHCL & Vice Chairman, VPChapter presented a paper on 'Reclamation at Limestone mineof GHCL - A case study'. Shri Shivmoorthy Swamy, Dy. GM(Mineral Resource), Ambuja Cements Ltd. & Secretary, VPChapter deliberated the presentation on Quarry Rehabilitation.The presentations were summarised by Shri N.K. Nuwal andappreciated by Shri S.P. Goyal, RCOM, Udaipur.

IX – MATTERS OF MEMBERSProf. M.A. Ramlu gets award for excellence in teachingProf. M.A. Ramlu (LM-62) has been awardedProf. S.K. Bose Memorial Award forExcellence in Teaching in MiningEngineering for the year 2009. It wasawarded to him on 15th Sept. 2009 by TheMining, Geological and MetallurgicalInstitute of India, at Kolkata.

Shri Parihar, C.P. of Aditya Cement, participated in EDPCourse in USA.Shri Chetan Prakash Parihar (LM-2276),Vice-President (Mines), Aditya Cement, AUnit of M/s. Grasim Industries Ltd., attendedExecutive Development Programme for twoweeks from 13-25 September 2009 at theWhar ton School, University ofPennsylvania, Philadelhphia, USA. His tripwas sponsored by his employer 'Aditya Birla Group' underChairman Award for Exceptional Contributor 2008.

X – FUND COLLECTION FOR FLOOD VICTIMS OF ANDHRAPRADESH AND KARNATAKAConsequent upon the appeal from MEAI President, Shri V.D.Rajagopal, to contribute towards 'Flood Relief Fund' of A.P. &Karnataka, the following donations have been received

(Rupees)

1. Hyderabad Chapter 10,000/-

2. M/s. Deepu Printers 1000/-

3. Master Suhas Choudary

S/o. G. Sreenivas Choudary 1000/-

4. M/s. Sai Prateek Enterprises 1000/-

5. Shri G. Jagdeesh 500/-

6. Shri A.S. Rao 500/-

7. Dr. K.K. Sharma 500/-

8. Shri K.U. Rao 500/-

9. Shri K.S. Subbarao 250/-

XI – (A) The Second Council Meeting (2009-11) will be held atMEAI Headquarters, Hyderabad at 17.00 hrs on 15-11-2009.

(B) The Amendmend Committee meeting of MEAI will be heldat MEAI office, Hyderabad on 13-11-2009 and 14-11-2009 at10.00 hrs. on both the days. All the concerned members arerequested to attend.


21st National Convention of Mining Engineers&

National Seminaron

TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT IN MINING INDUSTRYDecember 4-6, 2009

Organised By :

Mining Engineering Division Board

The Institution of Engineers (India)

Hosted By :

The Institution of Engineers (India)

Udaipur Local Centre, Udaipur

In Association with

Mining Engineers' Association of India

Rajasthan Chapter, Udaipur

Venue :

College of Technology and Engineering

Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture & Technology,

Udaipur (Rajasthan)

Papers on the following subjects are invited so as to reach the convener by 15-11-2009 -

Mineral Exploration, Sustainable Mining Technology, Blasting Technology and Rock Fragmentation,Geotechnical Studies, Environment and Safety, and Policies and Statutes.

Convener: Organising Secretary :Er. D.S. Maru Dr. S.S. RathoreAdditional Director (Mines) Dept. of Mining Engineering, MPUAT, UDAIPUR,DMG, Govt. of Rajasthan, Udaipur Mob : 09829041632Mob: 09829230652 / 94141 65275 Email : [email protected]

U


REQUIREMENT OF TECHNICAL PERSONSWe are in Mining & Civil construction works for last few decades and satisfactorily meeting the demands of our esteemedclients, like JSPL, JSL, IMFA, BAL, ECL, Ushamartin, Mesco etc. Our strength is in our dedicated manpower, large fleetof HEMM and utilization of modern technology. Our activities are spread over Orissa, Jharkhand, Chhatisgarh and shortlyshall cover other states like Rajsthan, Madya Pradesh, U.P. etc. We want to strengthen our organization with additionaltechnical personnel. We presently require the following personnel.

For Serial number 1&2: Selected person shall be independently responsible for all operation for the Project assigned. Heshall have to attend all state/Central Govt. Authorities (Labour, DGMS, P.F, Pollution control Board) associated in theProject besides attending to local/village/panchayat/Forest level issues besides adhering to the Project schedules andclients requirement.

Please apply to M/S Coronation Infrastructure Ltd, N-3/27, IRC Village, Nayapally, Bhubaneswar-751015. with completeBio data and salary presently drawn and expected salary. Remuneration is no constraint for right person. Application withcomplete bio data may be sent by e-mail: [email protected] also.

Sl.No Post required & number Stream Qualification Experience Age 1. G.M. (Mines) (Two posts) Mining B.E. in Mining Engineering FCC 15-20 yrs in 1st class Coal Mine

( Coal)/ 1st Class Certificate of (open cast) / Metalliferous mine 45-60Competency ( Restricted) deploying HEMM Minimum

5MBCM excavation/annum.

2. Dy G.M. (Mines) (two posts) Mining B.E. in Mining Engineering FCC 10 years in 1st class Coal Mine(Coal)/ 1st Class Certificate (open cast)/ Metaliferous mine 45-50of Competency ( Restricted) deploying HEMM Minimum

5MBCM excavation/annum

3. Manager 1st Class for Mining B.E. in Mining Engineering FCC 5-10 years in 1st class Coal 40-50Coal Project. (two posts) (Coal) Mine (open cast) deploying

HEMM Minimum 5 MBCMexcavation/annum

4. Manager 2nd Class Mining Diploma/Degree in Mining 5 years in open cast coal mine 35-45(two posts) Engineering SCC (Coal) deploying HEMM

5. Over man (six posts) Mining Over man certificate of competency. 6 years (open cast mine 35-45with HEMM)

6. Manager 1st Class Mining Degree in mining Engineer 5 years experience in Bauxite 35-45(Metalliferous Mines) 1st Class Certificate of Competency mine as 1st class Manager(One posts) ( Restricted) using Ripper Dozer

& other HEMM

7. Manager 2nd Class Mining Dip / Degree with 2nd Class restricted 5 years as 2nd cl. Manager 35-45(Metalliferous Mines) certificate of competency. deploying HEMM(two posts)

8. Mine Foreman (six posts) Mining Diploma with Foreman Certificate 5 years experience as foreman 30-40of competency working with HEMM in

open cast mine

9. Surveyor (two posts) Mining Diploma in Mining Eng./ Survey (with 5 years experience Proficiency 35-45Surveyor certificate of competency) in use of Total station

Survey Instrument.

10. Manager (Mechanical) Mecha- Degree in Mechanical Engineering 10 years experience in HEMM 35-45(three posts) nical repair maintenance 200

HP and above equipments.

11. Manager (Civil) (two posts) Civil Degree in Civil Engineering Construction/Irrigations 35-45Project/Dam etc 10 yrs

12. Astt Engineer (Civil) Civil Diploma/Degree in civil Engineer 10yrs in construction work atleast 35-45(two posts) 5 yrs in Irrigation/Dam projects.


CONFERENCES, SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS ETC.,

Printed by A.S. Rao, Secretary General, Mining Engineers' Association of India, Published by A.S. Rao, Secretary General,on behalf of Mining Engineers' Association of India and printed at Deepu Printers at 5-8-352, Raghav Ratna Towers (Ground Floor),

Chirag Ali Lane, Abids, Hyderabad - 500 001. and published at 5-8-352, Raghav Ratna Towers (Ground Floor),Chirag Ali Lane, Abids, Hyderabad - 500 001. Editor : Dr. K.K. Sharma

INDIA2009

6 - 7 November 2009 : Investor's Meet & Conference on "Developmentof Mineral Resources & Mineral Based Industry in North - EasternRegion" at Maniram Dewan Trade Centre, Guwahati (Assam). Contact :Conference Secretariat, Federation of Indian Mineral Industries, FIMI House,B-311, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase-I, New Delhi -20. Tel.: +91-11-26814596, E-mail : [email protected] Website : www.fedmin.com

10 - 13 November 2009 : "Ninth International Mine ventilationcongress" at Hotel Crown Plaza, New Delhi, India. Organised by :Department of Mining Engineering Indian School of Mines University,Dhanbad - 826 004. For further details, please contact : Prof. D.C. Panigrahi,Convenor & head, Deptt. of Mining Engineering. Indian School of MinesUniversity, Dhanbad - 826 004. Email: [email protected], Web :www.9thimvc.org

12 - 13 November 2009 : "14th PA Drilling & Blasting Conference" ThePenn Stater Conference Center State College, PA USA.

4 - 6 December 2009 : 21st National Convention of Mining Engineers &National Seminar on 'Technological Advancements in MiningIndustry' organised by Mining Engineering Division Board, TheInstitution of Engineers (India) in association with MEAI - Rajasthanchapter, Udaipur. Contact : Convener, Er. D.S. Maru, Additional Director(Mines), DMG, Govt. of Rajasthan, Mob: 9829230652, 94141 65275,Organising Secretary, Dr. S.S. Rathore, Dept. of Mining Engg., MPUATUdaipur, Mob.: 98290 41632, email : [email protected]

18 - 19 December 2009 : Workshop on 'Strategy for Management ofEconomic Slowdown in Mineral Industry' organised by Society ofGeoscientists and Allied Technologists, 267, Kharavela Nagar,Bhubaneswar - 751 001. Fax : 0674-2390687, Contact : Dr. S.K. Sarangi,Mobile : 09437023134, Email : [email protected]

15 - 17 January 2010 : International Conference on "Iron Ore Future -The Next Decade" Hotel Oberoi Grand, Kolkata. Contact : Prof. A.K. Ghose,Journal of Mines, Metals & Fuels, 6/2 Madan Street, Kolkata - 700 072. Tel.: 033-22126526, Email : [email protected]

22 - 25 January 2010 : 3rd Asian Mining Congress 2010 "Resurgence ofMining in Asia : Prospects and Challenges" & International MiningMachinery Exhibition (IME 2010)" organised by MGMI Kolkata. Detailscan be had from MGMI website : www.mgmiindia.com or from the MGMIoffice GN 38/4 Salt Lake Sector - V, Kolkata - 700 091.

4 - 7 February 2010 : "STONA 2010 - 9th International Granites andStone Fair" at Bangalore : Contact Chairman, STONA 2010 Fair SteeringCommittee, STONA#429/7, 12th Cross Sadashivnagar, Bangalore - 560080. Tel. : +91-80-23612541, Fax : 23610993, Email : [email protected]/a i g s a @ e b h a s i n . c o m / s t o n a @ s t o n a a i g r a . c o m ,Website:www.stonaaigra.com

4 - 7 February 2010 : "6th International Dyke Conference" for furtherdetails, please contact : Prof. Rajesh K. Srivastava, Deptt. of Geology,BHU, IT, Varanasi - 221 005.

7 - 8 May 2010 : Bhubaneswar, India Mine TECH' 10 Seminar on "MiningTechnology - Extraction, Beneficiation for Safe and Sustainable

Development" contact : IMEJ Convener Prof. S. Jayanthu, Head, Dept.Mining Engineering, N.I.T. Rourkela. [email protected] [email protected]

ABROAD2009

1 - 4 November 2009 : Tailings and Mine Waste 2009, Alberta, Canada.www.ostrf.com/seminars

9 - 11 November 2009 : Rock Slope Stability 2009, Santiago, Chile.www.slopestability.cl

9 - 12 November : "Flotation 09" Capetown, South Africa, www.min-eng.com/conferences/

10 November 2009 : Mine Backfill Seminar, Ibis Hotel, Perth, Australia.www.acg.uwa.edu.au

11 - 13 November 2009 : Advanced Ground Support in UndergroundMining Seminar, Ibis Hotel, Perth, Australia. www.acg.uwa.edu.au

11 - 13 November 2009 : Minex Central Asia 2009, Astana, Kazakhstan.www.minexforum.com

12 - 13 November 2009 : "14th PA Drilling & Blasting Conference" ThePenn Stater Conference Center State College, PA USA

16 - 19 November 2009 : "MEPS-2009 - 18th International Symposiumon Mine Planning & Equipment Selections" at Banff Alberta, Canada,Contact : Dr. Raj K. Singhal, P.O. Box 68002, Crow foot Postal Outlet, 28Crowfoot Terrdce NW, Calgery, Alberta, T3G 1YO, Canada, Fax : (403)-241-9460, Email : [email protected] Website : http://www.mpes-cami-swemp.com

21 - 23 November 2009 : "International Symposium on Mine Planning& Equipment Selection (MPES 2009)" Banff, Canada, www.mpes-cami-swemp.com

23 - 24 November 2009 : NewGenGold 2009 : Case Histories ofDiscovery, Sheraton Hotel, Perth, Australia. www.newgengold.com

30 Nov - 4 Dec 2009 : NMA's 115th Annual Meeting, exposition andshort course, John Ascuaga's Nugget Casino Resort Reno-Sparks,Nevada, USA. www.nwma.org

1 December 2009 : Practical Soil Mechanics Short Course, SheratonHotel, Perth, Australia. www.acg.uwa.edu.au

1 - 3 December 2009 : "7th Fennoscandian Exploration and Mining"Rovaniemi, Finland. www.lapinliitto.fi/fem2009

2 - 3 December 2009 : Tailings Management for Operators Seminar,Sheraton Hotel, Perth, Australia. www.acg.uwa.edu.au

9 - 12 May 2010 : CIM Conference and Exhibition, Vancouver, BCCANADA, www.cimorg

11 - 12 May 2010 : Sampling 2010, Perth, WA Contact : The AusIMMEvents; Telephone: +61 3 9662 3166; Facsimile: +61 3 9662 3662

23 - 24 June 2010 : AusIMM International Uranium Conference 2010,Adelaide, SA Contact : The AusIMM Events Department; Telephone : +61 39662 3166; Facsimile: +61 3 9662 3662

Documents

MEAI NOV 2010