Fundamental approaches to longwall dust control

The following techniques are presented in an effort to control shearer-generated dust: deep cutting, drum sprays, modified cutting cycles, and shearer clearer. Deep cutting and drum sprays are techniques for reduction and suppression, respectively; modified cutting cycles and shearer clearer techniques are both based on avoidance. Shearer-generated dust has been specifically addressed by the authors because ''it is almost always the primary contributor to high respirable dust levels''. These techniques are evaluated in field trials and are proven effective and practical in controlling shearer-generated dust.