VNIT Researchers Dr. A. K. Agarwal, Associate Professor, and Dr. Anupam Anant Kher, Assistant Professor, Department of Mining Engineering, VNIT Nagpur, have developed a novel technology with the potential to increase underground coal recovery to up to 95%, compared with the conventional 60–65% recovery in bord-and-pillar mining.
The patented innovation, “A Method for Underground Coal Pillar Extraction Using Continuous Miner with Real-Time Backfilling,” integrates continuous-miner-based depillaring, synchronized real-time backfilling and roof bolting to provide improved strata control, enhance mine safety and minimise large unsupported underground voids.
🌱 The technology can utilise fly ash and mine waste as backfill materials, promoting resource utilisation and sustainable mining. It also has the potential to enable coal extraction beneath railways, highways, buildings, monuments and forest-covered areas, subject to geotechnical assessment and regulatory approvals, while minimising surface disturbance.
🤝 The multidisciplinary research involved contributions from Dr. Vaidehi Dakwale (Civil Engineering) and Dr. Gaurav Tiwari (Mechanical Engineering).The researchers are now seeking industry collaboration and support for field trials to validate the technology and assess its technical, safety, operational and economic feasibility.
This research was strengthened by the encouragement of Dr. Rajesh Gupta, HOD Mining, and the motivation and guidance of Dr. Y. B. Katpatal, Dean (R&C), and Dr. Prem Lal Patel, Director, VNIT Nagpur.