Operations modeling and analysis of an underground coal mine

In general, it is quite difficult to describe and model operations and conveyance systems precisely in underground coal mines because of geological components, poor visibility, unreliable installed facilities, and difficult work conditions. In this study, a simulation model of an operations and materials handling system for an underground coal mine was built to investigate the relationship between the coal output and materials handling systems, which includes specifications for the facilities and the buffer space for the storage bin underground. It was found that it is possible to find the bottleneck of a conveyance system to determine more efficient mining and conveyance methods by performing a simulation.