Coal Mining

The ADRM Coal Mining data model set is an integrated set of Enterprise, Business Area, and Data Warehouse data models developed to support the mining, processing and transport operations of coal mining companies worldwide.

Over 7,212 million tons (Mt) of coal is produced worldwide by open-pit and underground mining.

• Surface Mining

Typically the overburden of soil and rock is first broken up by explosives. The coal is then removed by draglines, shovel and truck. Once the coal seam is exposed, it is drilled, fractured and systematically mined. The coal is then loaded on to large trucks, railcars, or moved by conveyors for either coal preparation or to where it will be used. Over 90% of coal is recovered in surface mining.

Underground mining consists of two main methods of mining: room-and-pillar mining and longwall mining.

• Room-and-pillar Mining

In room-and-pillar mining, coal deposits are mined by cutting a network of 'rooms' in the coal seam and leaving behind 'pillars' of coal to support the roof of the mine. These pillars can be up to 40% of the total coal in a seam, which can sometimes be recovered at a later stage.

• Longwall Mining

Longwall mining involves the extraction of coal from a section of the seam or 'face' using mechanical shearers. The coal 'face' can typically vary in length from 300-1,000 feet. Self-advancing, hydraulically-powered supports temporarily hold up the roof while the coal is extracted. When all the planned coal has been extracted from the area, the roof is allowed to collapse. Over 75% of the coal in the deposit can be extracted from panels of coal that can extend 3km through the coal seam.

ADRM's Coal Mining data model set provides a comprehensive data architecture for the planning, operational and financial data, including support for: