Geologic Investigations of Underground Coal Mining Problems

A series of geological surveys were completed in six coal mines in connection with a Bureau of Mines research program on methane control. The aim of these surveys was two fold: first, to study the overall geology of the coalbed, and second, to use the resulting data to evaluate the influence of the geological characteristics of the coalbed on safe and efficient coal extraction. This report explains the advantages of geologic maps and fence diagrams in coal mining and how the knowledge gained from such geologic investigations of mines can help control many underground problems.