- published: 17 May 2015
- views: 10150
The goal of coal mining is to obtain coal from the ground. Coal is valued for its energy content, and since the 1880s has been widely used to generate electricity. Steel and cement industries use coal as a fuel for extraction of iron from iron ore and for cement production. In the United States, United Kingdom, and South Africa, a coal mine and its structures are a "colliery". In Australia, "colliery" generally refers to an underground coal mine.
Coal mining has had a lot of developments over the recent years, from the early days of men tunneling, digging and manually extracting the coal on carts to large open cut and long wall mines. Mining at this scale requires the use of draglines, trucks, conveyor, jacks and shearers.
Coal mining can have a large environmental impact and needs to be managed. Many mines are required by government to rehabilitate the area that was mined.
The Industrial Revolution, which began in Britain in the 18th century, and later spread to continental Europe and North America, was based on the availability of coal to power steam engines. International trade expanded exponentially when coal-fed steam engines were built for the railways and steamships. The new mines that grew up in the 19th century depended on men and children to work long hours in often dangerous working conditions. There were many coalfields, but the oldest were in Newcastle and Durham, South Wales, Scotland and the Midlands, such as those at Coalbrookdale.
Coal Mines
Coal Mining: The Dangerous Job on EARTH - DOCFILMS
How Do They Do It__ Coal Mining Video.flv
Coal Mines: A Dangerous Way To Make Money - History Documentary Films
World's biggest mine: Inside US coal
Inside The Underground Labyryth - Coal Mining Documentary - FIlms
Situation Critical - S01E12 - Coal Mine Disaster
Eastern Kentucky Coal Mines
How Coal Mines Work: "Mining and Preparation of Anthracite Coal" c 1934 Delaware & Lackawanna Coal
Pioneering Underground Mining
Take A Ride Into A Mine (CBS News)
SASAN COAL MINES
Open Pit Coal Mine
West Virginia Special