How Coal is Mined
A relatively small amount of coal is quarried near the surface of the ground from open pits. The overlying soil is removed by steam-shovels, and the coal is then blasted out and shoveled into cars.
Most coal is mined underground. Access to the coal-beds is obtained either by sinking a vertical “shaft” or by driving a tunnel, according to the location of the beds. A tunnel driven at a steep angle is called a “slope.” A horizontal tunnel leading into a coal-seam is called a “drift.” In this country few coal mines are more than 300 or 400 feet below the surface, and the deepest is about 1,600 feet. Much deeper mines are found in Europe, especially in Belgium.
Press Illustrating Service
ROTARY DUMP IN A TIPPLE
Showing a coal car half turned over in order to dump contents
Courtesy of “Coal Age”
SPIRALIZING MACHINES