Continuous Miner Technology

Continuous miner is a mass production technology, which have been used successfully in large
number of mines worldwide. Continuous miner have robust design, and are made of heavy
mainframe to provide rigidity and stability in operation. It has been so designed that it can
maneuver easily in rugged terrain. Better tram control allows precise control of steering, speed
and traction offering high maneuverability, faster positioning and optimum cutting, thereby
increasing productivity [1]. Continuous miners use individual motors with direct drive
transmissions to power the cutter, traction, gathering and hydraulic systems. This allows quick
and easy repair, thus reducing downtime and maintenance costs [2]. With high voltage
capability, there is a significant increase in horsepower to the cutting system. Reduced thermal
losses in cutter motor and trailing cables increase the available continuous cutting time leading to
improved production levels. They are provided with a fine spray behind the cutting bit to reduce
the potential for frictional ignitions and to reduce the respirable dust levels [3].

FigureError! No text of specified style in document.-1 Model of 12CM15 continuous miner

machine [2]
A continuous miner comprises of cutting head, gathering arm loader, conveyor belt (loading
system) mounted on a crawler track, shuttle cars for coal transportation. Continuous miner cuts
coal from the face using revolving drum covered in hardened concentrically placed teeth or
picks. Coal is loaded from the rear end of the continuous miner into a shuttle car which travels a
short distance to discharge it to a hopper feeder of the main belt conveyor system [4]. Shuttle car
is positioned at the rear end of the continuous miner to receive and transport cut coal to belt
feeder. They may be equipped with on-board rock bolt installation machine to provide roof
support simultaneously with coal cutting, thus, speeding up the process or separate rock bolter
may be used sequentially. A continuous miner weighs in between 50-100 tons varying with the
operation height, installed power and width of cut required. It can be used for development as

well as depillaring. It has been successfully deployed in the Anjan Hill mine of SECL [5] and
few other mines of CIL and SCCL.

Fig: Continuous miner panel and sequence of cut

Factors affecting production capacity of the system [1]
The production from a continuous miner may vary significantly depending on the operating
conditions, like
Seam thickness- Thickness of seam is an important parameter as it determines the
availability of coal per meter of cut. In case of low height seam or thin seam, continuous
miner is frequently required to change its place, thus appreciable time is lost in
maneuverability and hence it affects the production.
Gallery width- While working with continuous miner the minimum gallery width
required for its operation is 4.8m, but maneuverability of continuous miner and shuttle
car is difficult. The production increases with increase in gallery width depending on
strata conditions to 5.0m, 6.0m or 6.6m. The more the gallery width, more amount of coal
is available at a place for continuous miner.
Pillar size- Pillar size plays a vital role in deciding the cycle time which affects the
production performance. The cycle time of the continuous miner increases with pillar size
as tramming distance increases.
Cut out distance- It determines the availability of coal at a place. Depending on the
immediate roof condition, cut out length varies. Higher the cut out distance, higher will
be the availability of coal at a place and hence, lesser cycle time.
Miscellaneous conditions- the production from continuous miner is also dependent on
other conditions like, roof support system, efficiency of coal evacuation system,
availability of power, breakdown time of machine, roof and floor conditions, etc.
1 Caterpillar Inc, 2011, Continuous miner- product line, pp- 1- 10.

2 Joy Global, 2012, JOY 12CM Series Continuous Miner Product Overview, pp. 1-12.
3 Joy Mining Machinery, 2005, Continuous Miner, Bulletin No. CM33-1M-0205-R1, pp. 1-15.
4 Singh S. K. (2005): Extraction by continuous miner with high degree of Recovery and safety:
Australian and Indian Experience, Proceedings of 1st Indian National congress- Showcasing Mineral
Industry in 21st century (eds. Sinha A., and Singh S. K.) 28th Feb- 01 March, 2005, Indian School of
mines Dhanbad, pp- 47-55.

5 Mandal P. K., and Mishra, P. K. (2013): Technological developments and R&D needs for sustainable
underground coal mining in India, seminar on UG Coal mining- Evolving Scenario and need for Reengineering, Bilaspur, 10-11 Dec, 2013, pp- 46-62.