Experience with the first modern longwall installation in Western Canada at Smoky River Coal Limited, Grande Cache, Alberta

ABSTRACT

In January, 1997, the first modern, heavy duty longwall face installed in western Canada began production in the #10 seam at the 9G mine of Smoky River Coal Limited. The first panel was completed in November, 1997, after which the coal face was secured, the equipment removed, serviced and re-installed on a second panel, which commenced production shortly thereafter.

While it is true that the results obtained were not as good as had been anticipated, the experience has shown that longwall mining does have a future in western Canadian mining conditions.

This paper describes the development, installation production and stripping/reinstallation of the longwall at 9G Mine. It describes the equipment and methods used, as well as some of the problems encountered and their resolution. It also presents recommendations developed for the benefit of future longwall installations in western Canada