Fully mechanized coal caving mining technology with conditions of hard roof and hard seam in Datong Mining Area

The conditions of hard roof and hard seam in Datong mining area have seriously restricted the high production and high efficient mining technology in thick seams. Specially, it is hard to improve the coal recovery rate. After 10 years of science and research development in the top coal softening, roof control, equipment, and other technologies, a fully mechanized coal caving mining technology with high production, high efficiency and high coal recovery under the two hard conditions was developed with a good economic benefit.