For instance, the ventilation is made easier, isn't it, in the long wall operation? Mr. RILEY. The ventilation is probably made easier, but you also have the dust problem. The tail across the face as it comes down the return, it creates quite a dusty situation, but they are working rather strenuously on that. One method, if you don't mind, is drilling into the coal, infusing water to the point where it is almost visible on the face of the coal, in fact it is in several places. This almost alows dust-free mining. They are working quite a bit on this. Senator WILLIAMS. That is under either a continuous miner or the long wall? Mr. RILEY. I believe it is more prevalent in long wall mining. Senator WILLIAMS. Then if you combat that, dealing with the dust, with the better ventilation, you have a safer situation, don't you? Mr. RILEY. I feel it is safer, roof fallwise and possibly ventilation wise. Senator WILLIAMS. Just one other fast question in connection with the Operation Roof Control that West Virginia has been embarked upon. As you say, and we had testimony, this is the major cause of accidents, the roof fall, and more fatalities came from this than from any other reason. With the limited observation we made in the committee, we have observed the roof bolt, and that is still the basic method, I suppose, except on the long wall, where there is a different roof support, which is the safest support, by the way, again on the long wall. Mr. RILEY. Well, the long wall is a different type of support. You have these chocks across the face all the time. The roof bolting is a good safe method. We have some failures, certainly, and this can be expected, but we also have to curb people going beyond the last roof support. In this Operation Roof Control, I might state that this was one of the strong points. We contacted every individual in coal mining. We didn't look at anything else on these spot checks, whatever you want to call them. We just dealt primarily with roof control, and the habits of the working people. I think both of them had its effect, talking with the individuals and stressing the fact that the roof support plan must be complied with. Senator WILLIAMS. What was the length of the regular roof bolt in West Virginia? Mr. RILEY. It varied, Senator, from 36 inches to, I know one mine where they used 12-foot bolts to augment the 6 and 7 feet. I would say the average bolt would be 6 feet. That depends again on the area of the State. The southern part of the State, it would be a much shorter bolt, certainly. Senator WILLIAMS. Very good. Thank you. Mr. RILEY. I am sorry that I didn't have more facts and figures, but on such short notice Senator RANDOLPH. I think, Mr. Chairman, you will want to give Mr. Riley the privilege, if he feels that he has charts, graphs, additional material that he could use to supplement his statement, that that could be received by the subcommittee and be included in his statement. Senator WILLIAMS. Certainly. I have nothing further, except to thank you. formation referred to follows:) Senator, Harrison Williams, Chairman United States Senate Subcommittee on Labor Office Senate Building Washington, D. C. Dear Senator Williams: Enclosed is a list of coal companies, mine or number, and locations that are employing the Long Wall Mining system in West Virginia. Also, included in this report is other material that we hope you will find helpful to the Committee. One item you will note, regarding the number of fatalities, is contrary to the statement made by the representatives of the Pennsylvania Department of Mines. For the first six months of this year we had a total of twenty-six (26) fatals compared to forty (40) for the first six months of 1969. Enclosed you will also find a list of non-fatal accidents, classifications, age groups, and etc. The testimony given by a member of the United Mine Workers of America, at the Senate Subcommittee hearing on August 7, 1970, stated that coal dust along belt lines in the Loveridge Mine, Consolidation Coal Company, was from 7 to 12 inches deep. He also testified there had been several face ignitions at this mine. Senator, Harrison Williams In checking with our division office we were advised that our inspector has never found a dusty condition of this magnitude. He did state we have had three ignitions that were confined to the face of this mine. The ignitions occured the 13 and 17 of April and the 22 of May. If we can be of any assistance, in the near future feel free to contact our office. Very truly yours, Saul C PAUL C. RILEY PCR/vb CC-Senator, Jennings Randolph |