Organization and socio-economic efficiency of early degassing of coal seams

Coal mining is the most important process of extracting valuable and energy-consuming minerals from the bowels of the earth. The development of coal industry requires high-quality, incremental, environmentally friendly and safe methods of mining «black gold» and associated minerals. The analysis of necessity and prospects of development of advance degassing of coal seams, presented in the article, which includes substantiation of use of this method of degassing in coal industry, description of stages and technology of application of plasma-impulsive influence (PEI) is caused by increase of intensity of methane release in coal mines at coal mining by underground method.

The main emphasis is placed on the emergence of the danger of gas-emission (methanostenosti) in connection with the deepening of drilling and development of mines, which in turn leads to tragedies associated with methane explosions and challenges the safe operation of miners. The article provides specific examples of the work of major coal mining companies, points out the need to use the method of early degassing and to develop new joint projects with major oil and gas mining companies.

The main conclusion from the analysis of methods of degassing and functioning of coal mines, is a description of the benefits and definition of development prospects of early degassing of coal seams in order to improve the efficiency of coal and methane production and provide safe labor activity of miners.

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