Longwall mining has historically been considered an application for only deep reserves. This has changed in the recent past
as longwall has become competitive with surface mining. Many resources marked for stripping now he in the domain of
longwall. Today, the best longwall mines compete with strip mines operating in even the lowest stripping ratios. Longwall
mining has become more widely applicable than it ever has been in the past and it is now generally considered the method of
choice in situations where high levels of coal production are required. But the best way to use longwall mining has become
less certain with the opportunities that highwall access provides. Wall-to-wall mining is the use of retreating longwall
developed from and retreating toward a highwall. As a surface mine reaches its ultimate highwall, the opportunity for
longwall punch mining or wall-to-wall mining is obvious. There are several clear operating advantages to operating a
longwall in this way and where highwalls are available, the best economic decision will generally favor planning a direct
approach. Yet wall-to-wall is not applicable in every situation even when highwalls are available. Moreover, the advantages
of wall-to-wall mining do not always justify the cost of trenching or box cuts to access coal . However, many tactical
advantages of operating from the highwall can be realized with the use of specially equipped blind drilled or raised bored
shafts. This paper discusses novel techniques for a shaft assisted mining system which permits the addition of conveyor
structure and mine systems from the surface to the face for advance and retreat mining with longwall, shortwall or room and
pillar panels.