Longwall mining is a form of underground coal mining where a long wall of coal is mined in a single slice (typically 0.6–1.0 m (2 ft 0 in–3 ft 3 in) thick). The longwall panel (the block of coal that is being mined) is typically 3–4 km (1.9–2.5 mi) long and 250–400 m (820–1,310 ft) wide.

Is longwall mining a subsurface mining method?

Longwall mining is a more efficient method of removing coal from a subsurface seam. A machine called a shearer moves back and forth along the face of a coal seam. As coal is sheared from the long wall, it falls onto a conveyor and is transported out of the mine.

What is longwall method in mining?

longwall mining Longwall mining is an underground method of excavating coal from tabular deposits, as well as soft mineral deposits such as potash. Large rectangular blocks of coal are defined during the development stage of the mine and are then extracted in a single continuous operation.