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Dragline is highly capital intensive equipment to procure, operate and maintain in any surface mining operation. Given this, every second of operation of this capital intensive equipment is absolutely important. As such, it is imperative to optimize the overall cycle time of this equipment in order to reap the benefits of this equipment to the fullest extent. Even a small improvement in the total cycle time has a significant influence on the overall performance of machine. In this light, the present paper is an endeavour to critically analyze digging time segment of dragline operations. The paper presents real-time data for a dragline operating in one of the major opencast projects in India. Investigation indicates the influence of cutting depth, dimensions and geometry of the cut area, nature of material, degree of fragmentation and operator’s skills on the digging segment of dragline cycle time. Results have been illustrated in the form of figures, graphs and tables.

Generally, the accurate determination of the stress in surrounding rock mass of underground mining area has an important role in stability and ground control. In this paper stress redistribution around the longwall face has been studied using passive seismic velocity tomography based on Simultaneous Iterative Reconstructive Technique (SIRT) and Sequential Gaussian Simulation (SGS). The mining-induced microseismic events are used as a passive source. Since such sources are used, the ray coverage is insufficient and in order to resolve this deficiency, the wave velocity is estimated in a denser network and by the SGS method. Consequently the three-dimensional images of wave velocity are created and sliced into the coal seam. To analyze the variations of stress around the panel during the study period, these images are interpreted. Results show that the state of stress redistribution around the longwall panel can be deduced from these velocity images. In addition, movements of the stressed zones, including front and side abutments and the goaf area, along the longwall face are evident. The applied approach illustrated in this paper can be used as a useful method to monitoring the stress changes around the longwall face continuously. This can have significant safety implications and contribute to improvements in operational productivity

Generally, knowledge of stress redistribution around the longwall panel causes a better understanding of the mechanisms that lead to ground failure, especially to rock bursts. In this paper, passive seismic velocity tomography is used to demonstrate the state of stress around the longwall mining panel. The mining-induced microseismic events were recorded by mounting an array of receivers on the surface, above the active panel. To determine the location of seismic events and execute the process of tomography, double difference method is employed as a local earthquake tomography. Since passive sources are used, the ray coverage is insufficient to achieve the quality images required. The wave velocity is assumed to be the regionalized variable and it is therefore estimated in a denser network, by using geostatistical estimation method. Subsequently, the three dimensional images of wave velocity are created and are sliced into the coal seam. These images clearly illustrate the stressed zones that they are appropriately in compliance with the theoretical models. Such compliance is particularly apparent in the front abutment pressure and the side abutment pressure near the tailgate entry. Movements of the stressed zones along the advancing face are also evident. The research conclusion proves that the combined method, based on double-difference tomography and geostatistical estimation, can potentially be used to monitor stress changes around the longwall mining panel continuously. Such observation could lead to substantial improvement in both productivity and safety of mining operations.

The most initial investment in longwall face equipping is the cost of powered support. Selection of proper shields for powered supports is based on load, geometric characterization of coal seams and economical considerations.

There are many deposits that have the potential to be mined by a combined method of open-pit and underground. In this manner, the most sensitive problem is the determination of the optimal transition depth from open-pit to underground or vice versa. To calculate this depth, a model based on block economic values of open-pit and underground methods together with the Net Present Value (NPV) attained through mining is first presented. During the model, NPV of open-pit is compared to the value of underground for the similar levels. A hypothetical example is used in order to analyze the model in detail. Based on the assumptions made such as: a discount rate of 15 %, each pair of contiguous level-cuts have to mine during one year, and one level as the height of crown pillar, the optimal transition depth was determined to be equal to 62.5 m. Then, level 6 was considered as the suitable crown pillar. Finally, maximum total NPV of the combined mining was calculated to be 25.54 units of currency.