Results from current NERDDC funded research into the geotechnology of highwall trench mining methods have clear implications for mine planners in the areas of blast design, trench shape, location of the surcharge spoil and remnant coal pillar design.
Adoption of successful smooth wall blasting techniques not only removes safety hazards from the trench face, but limits development of bedding partings at the seam contacts that interrupt the smooth transition of stress across the coal seam.