CATU Electrical Safety Equipment For The Underground Coal Mining Industry

Deep Mining at UK Coal

As most coal seams are too deep for surface mining, underground mining techniques are required. Of the many different methods of deep coal mining, the most productive is coal face retreat mining, also known as longwall mining. This involves driving two parallel roadways into the coal seam, typically 280 to 350 metres apart and up to 3,000 metres in length, before connecting both roadways to create a panel of coal.

This connecting roadway has state of the art coal cutting equipment installed in it and becomes the coal face which will be cut back towards the main tunnel where the parallel roadways started. This equipment includes hydraulic roof supports, a coal cutting machine (shearer) which cuts from one end of the face to the other like a bacon slicer and a conveyor belt which takes the coal to the surface. As the shearer works along the coal face the powered roof supports advance and the roof is allowed to collapse behind the coal face. This method of mining coal is used at all of UK Coal’s deep mines.

Kellingley Colliery

Kellingley Colliery is the largest remaining deep mine in Yorkshire and began production in April 1965. Up to 900 tonnes of coal an hour can be brought to the surface through one of two 800 metres deep shafts. The 'Beeston' coal seam, which is currently being mined, will last until at least 2015 after which further reserves will be accessible in the 'Silkstone' coal seam.

Pictured: Kellingley Colliery Deep Coal Mine

T&D are the UK’s main stockist for the CATU range of LV-HV Electrical Safety and Arc Flash PPE Equipment : CATU insulating gloves, CATU rescue hooks, CATU insulated tools, CATU life rescue kits, CATU voltage detectors, CATU short-circuiting and earthing systems, CATU arc flash face and jacket kits.