(Ph) 3. Mining Method
The Cape Breton Development Corporation, a federally owned crown corporation, currently operates two, major, underground coal mines (Prince and Phalen). Phalen Colliery operated from 1984 to September 1999. During this time, the mine produced more than 18 million tonnes coal from 14 Longwall Panels.
The coal at Phalen Colliery was mined using the conventional retreating Longwall method. (Figure Ph3). Longwall panels were developed using a variety of machines including roadheaders, VME'S, and finally continuous miners. It was hoped that the introduction of continuous miners would increase the rate of development drivage. In addition, a change from steel set installation to roof bolts as the primary roof support was introduced in 1991.
A bleeder was used as the return airway at the East and West boundary to drain the Methane from the gob, and to exhaust the return air (Figure Ph4).
The major equipment used in the Phalen Colliery was as follows:
1. Joy 4LS double drum ranging arm shearer.
2. 550 tonne Joy Mining Machinery (Dowty) powered supports.
3. Joy Mining Machinery Armoured Face Conveyor with 2-400 42''Bett HP Conveyor drives with loop take ups on the maingate.
4. Cable belt Conveyor to the surface silo.
(Ph) 3.3 Development Method & Equipment
The mine workings were developed 'in seam' from the outcrop of the Phalen seam. Longwall panels were developed from the Main slopes along the strike of the seam towards the property boundary. Joy Continuous Miners, employing double pass cutting, were used to drive single entry roadways for the main gate and the return gate of the longwalls.