Coal Mining is all about getting out coal from under the ground. Coal at one time was the only essential item to generate energy for locomotives, it was used as fuel for cooking and it has been a great help in extracting iron from the basic iron ore. It is a great source for electricity. Its uses are many. “Colliery” fields have rich coal mines underground. The Great Industrial Revolution at the start of 18^th C was directly influenced by coal. It was at this time that coal was made available to steam engines. Trade became swift and easy with the new mode of communication. D.H. Lawrence, the great English novelist, in his novel “Sons and Lovers” gives us a clear picture of what life at coal mines was.

How is Coal Mined? In 1880s we had our first machines for cutting coal. Previously very basic method was used to get coal from the mines with a pick and a shovel, but in 1912 the old method was replaced by steam shovels. Surface mining was the result of mining with steam shovels. The way coal is mined, depends upon the place where it is mined. In some places it is totally underground mining and in others it is surface mining. For mining, many things have to be kept in mind. First and foremost among them are the geological characteristics of the land where it is being mined. The topography of the land is important, slope of land, altitude, surface drainage in the mining area, ground water and man power available reflect upon the whole mining process.

How is Coal Mined in surface mining? Seams close to the surface or where the depth at which coal is present within 50 m, use surface mining method. Coal found deep within the earth is deep mined. Surface mining is considered to be safer of the two. Heavy equipment is brought into use for such mining. Big chunks of coal have to be blasted with explosives. Overburden products are stored in waste dumps. Lot of protection is required for the coal and the workers during the whole operation.

About how is Coal Mined deep under the surface, we can show you photographs containing deep underground tunnels excavated for the purpose. At 60m depth open pit method is used because the seams are much thicker out here. Open pit method is being applied to seams at 450 m nowadays.

Modern extraction methods for Coal are available. Open cut method is also called open cast coal mining.