Coal

Coal

Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock usually occurring in rock strata in layers or veins called coal beds or coal seams. The harder forms, such as anthracite coal, can be regarded as metamorphic rock because of later exposure to elevated temperature and pressure. Coal is composed primarily of carbon along with variable quantities of other elements, chiefly hydrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen.

Industry: Energy

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Coal

breakthrough

Energy; Coal

An opening that is made through pillars that allows for ventilation.

bridge carrier

Energy; Coal

A mobile carrier on rubber tires. It is used as an intermediate between the mining machine and an entry conveyor.

brow

Energy; Coal

An area on the roof of a mine that dips downward, sometimes making it difficult to pass.

fault

Mining; Coal

A crack or break in the earth's surface as a result of shifting tectonic plates.

competent rock

Mining; Coal

Rock that is structurally sound enough to have openings without the need of structural support.

continuous miner

Mining; Coal

A large machine that mines and loads at the same time. It operates by scrapping coal from a vain with tungsten carbide teeth and accounts for about 45% of coal mining.