A Handbook for Face-to-face Moves of Longwall Equipment

The problem of moving the equipment of a longwall face from one (the finished) panel to the next has always been an issue critical to any longwall operation. In the United States, moving longwall equipment from panel to panel takes an average of 20 days, and moves as long as 30 days are no exception. With $8 million invested and a 20% return on investment, a longwall move of four weeks represents a $135,000 opportunity loss, in addition to the $200,000 labor required to perform the move and the interest and depreciation related to the equipment. A four to six week move each year will decrease the longwall yearly production by 10% to 15%. For the average US longwall, move time reduction is second only to increasing the system availability in its production improvement potential. The reduction of move time can only be achieved through careful planning, optimal method development, and effective and efficient operational procedures. This handbook has been developed to provide the US coal mining industry with a comprehensive background for and guidance in performing safe and efficient face-to-face moves.