Mining Publication: A Radar-based Highwall Rib-Thickness Monitoring System

In addition to developing various types of cool-interface detection systems, the US Bureau of Mines is actively involved in developing a coal rib-thickness monitoring system for highwall mining applications. One particular system to detect the coal-air boundaries of coal ribs. Based on preliminary laboratory and field tests, results indicate that this method can be applied successfully in highwall mines to maintain a constant rib thickness. The coal seam should be relatively clean in the vicinity of the antenna (e.g., have minimal partings or dirt bands) for best results.