Physical Modelling of the Top Coal Caving Mining Method (TCC) with Hydraulic Powered Roof Support

The efficiency of coal deposit mining using the TPC (Top Coal Caving) method strongly depends on the detailed solutions of the mining method design, which significantly affect the degree of deposit utilization, the size of losses and dilution. In order to examine the most important factors of this technology, a physical model was built that reflects the conditions of the selected lignite mine, including models of the mechanized hydraulic support walking support used in this case. Based on the research, the relationships between the thickness of the rock shelf (lignite) in the range of 4 m, 6 m and 8 m and the formation of dilution and deposit waste during the exploitation of the deposit were determined. It was shown that the most effective method of releasing lignite from under the caving is the serial-regular method with a 1.2 m advance round. Detailed relationships between individual parameters, rock material granulation, round advance and the thickness of the deposit and the layer subject to caving were given. The developed physical model of the support allows for variant analyses of various combinations of deposit parameters for any deposits in order to achieve the best efficiency of the mining method.