Stability of workface using long-wall mining method in extremely thin and gently inclined iron mine

Long-wall mining method has its own advantages, such as small mining-cutting ratio, the simple technique of recovery and high level of mechanization, which is the optimal method used to mine gently inclined and extremely thin iron mine. How to ensure the safety of workers and equipment during mining is the key technical process. Based on elastic-plastic mechanics theory, the mechanic model of long-wall method mining gently inclined and extremely thin iron mine is established and the critical safety distance of workface is obtained. With the FLAC-2D simulation software, the rule of stress change, the deformation of workface and surrounding rock in different control-roof width are also summarized. The final results accord with the ones of theory test. We confirm the support-frame resistance of workface by analogy-statistic method. The results prove that hydraulic support-frame have the ability to provide enough pressure to assure the stability of working face within the 5-m of control-roof width. Crown Copyright (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.