Shearer mining application to soft thin-seam with hard roof

Study status on shearer mining in thin seams in the world is introduced. Base on the geological conditions of instable and soft thin-seam with hard roof in Caoyao Coal Mine of Yima Coal Group, China, and combined with related parameters of strata behaviors at coal faces, the paper concludes that the strata control on the thin-seam coal face is comparatively easy in line with the criteria for classification on strata stability of gently-inclined coal faces in China. Hydraulic supports of two-prop shielding with rated effective resistance of 2400kN can be employed in thin seam coal faces. Basic requirements for coordination equipments of shearer are summed up while mining thin seams. According to successful experiences of extracting thin seams in similar geological conditions in China, the scheme of feasibility coordination equipments of shearer is optimized in thin seams with thickness of 0.8-1.4m and 1.1-1.9m, respectively. The conclusions will provide a reference value for Caoyao Coal Mine on carrying out mechanized mining of the mine, improving safety production capability, and prolonging the mine life.