SOME GEOTECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN THE PLANNING OF SURFACE COAL MINES.

The geotechnical considerations inherent both in the main systems of surface coal mining and in the use of appropriate excavating equipment are outlined. Attention is primarily given to slope stability and the principal geotechnical constraints and modes of slope failure, which are discussed with respect to possible cut layouts; the merits and hazards of advance, retreat, dip-cut, diagonal-cut and open-pit coal workings are presented. The programming of suitable investigations is considered as an integral part of mine planning.