Longwall mining was first introduced in the United States in the early 1950s and was more frequently used in the late 1970s. Today longwall mining accounts for about one-third of total underground coal tonnage.

When did longwall mining start?

The other principal method of modern mining, longwall mining, had been introduced as early as the 17th century and had found general use by the 19th century, but it had long been less productive than room-and-pillar mining.

Who invented longwall mining?

The basic idea of longwall mining was developed in England in the late 17th century. Miners undercut the coal along the width of the coal face, removing coal as it fell, and used wooden props to control the fall of the roof behind the face. This was known as the Shropshire method of mining.