haulage

Haulage refers to the movement of materials, a critical aspect of both general materials handling and specific industries like coal mining. In manufacturing and distribution, it encompasses collecting raw goods, moving them during production, and delivering finished products. Modern systems emphasize an integrated flow, using machinery like cranes and conveyor belts to transport goods in bulk and standardized units.

In underground coal mining, haulage specifically means transporting mined coal from the working faces to the surface. This involves multiple stages: face haulage from the active areas, intermediate haulage to the main system, and the main haulage system for removal from the mine. Equipment varies from shuttle cars and conveyors at the face to belts and locomotives for main haulage, all designed to efficiently move materials and supplies.12