longwall cutter

A longwall cutter is a machine used in a longwall system of coal mining. This method involves extracting coal from a long, continuous face, typically 100 to 300 meters wide. The machine, such as a shearer or plow, cuts slices of coal from the seam, ranging from 0.6 to 1.2 meters thick. This coal is then loaded onto a conveyor. Modern longwall operations use self-advancing shields to support the roof, creating a continuous mining system with high production capacity. The roof is allowed to cave in behind the workers, which generally causes more uniform surface subsidence compared to other mining methods.1234