JNTU B.Tech IV Year MINE PLANNING Previous Question Paper (February/March - 2022 - R16)

To achieve an annual production of 3 Lakh Tonnes Per Annum (LTPA) using a Continuous Miner (CM) panel, we assume a working year of 300 days with two production shifts per day. This requires a daily production target of 1,000 tonnes per day.

1. Production and Productivity:

With a target of 1,000 tonnes/day and an assumed CM utilization factor of 60%, the cycle time per cut is approximately 45 minutes. Assuming a cut depth of 6m and a face width of 5m, each cut yields roughly 45 tonnes. To reach the target, the CM must complete 22-23 cuts per day. The output per manshift (OMS) is targeted at 10-12 tonnes per manshift, which is standard for mechanized CM operations in Indian coal seams.

2. Equipment Requirement:

The panel requires a standard CM mechanized set to ensure continuous flow:

• 1 Continuous Miner (CM) machine.
• 2 Shuttle Cars (SC) for coal transport from the face to the feeder breaker.
• 1 Feeder Breaker (FB) to size coal and regulate flow onto the conveyor.
• 1 Roof Bolter (RB) for systematic roof support installation.
• 1 Scoop Tram for utility work and cleanup.
• Section conveyor system (belt conveyor) to transport coal out of the panel.

3. Manpower Requirement:

Manpower is calculated per shift to ensure continuous operation:

With three shifts (including maintenance/support shifts) and a 20% absenteeism/leave reserve, the total manpower requirement for the panel is approximately 30-35 personnel, including support staff and electricians/fitters for on-site maintenance.