Real Time Instrumentation system for analysis of strata caving of an Indian longwall operations - a case study

The caving of the roof is very important aspect on which safety of the whole panel is dependent. The uncaved span of the roof causes strata loading on the supports. The uncaved roof strata that overhang behind the supports creates additional stress when caving lags behind and the abutment zone does not advance ahead of the face during mining. As a result, the productivity and safety of longwall operations are disturbed continuously. Therefore, the monitoring and forecasting of strata behavior is imperative for improving productivity and safety. The Real Time Instrumentation (RTI) system was successfully developed and implemented in one of the Indian longwall mines for forecasting the status of strata caving. The innovative RTI system has in-built facilities to analyse strata behavior and initiate warning module during adverse behavior in real time. This paper will discuss the role of RTI system in successful longwall operations.