Ground Movement and Subsidence - Old Mining Problem Spreads to the East Texas Oil Field

THE wide scope of the causes and effects of ground movement and their interrelation to various kinds of mining and geological conditions are not always understood. Minimizing of roof movement by selection of suitable mining methods is closely allied to the problem of obtaining maximum safety in mining, but there are other questions involved: for example, mechanical developments which increase the production of ore and other minerals per shift or unit of labor but which, though highly ingenious, may increase hazards. More- over, the newer mobile loaders need much space for operation with longer protecting roof spans. Another problem emphasized by mechanization is the incompleteness of extraction of mineral, as there is no governmental requirement (except for limited leases on the public domain) in this country, as in European countries, and loss of coal in pillars is accepted by mine operators rather than risking the loss of an ex- pensive loading machine from a heavy roof fall. The extent to which losses of coal in mining are now being incurred is conjectural, for it has been fifteen years since there has been a comprehensive survey. In that study a loss of slightly over one-third of the coal in both anthracite and bituminous mining was indicated.