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Issue link: https://coal.epubxp.com/i/174138
o p e r at i n g i d e a s New Approaches to Coal Haulage Roads and Travel Ways BY ED STOCK AND ERIC WETZEL, P.E. Rosebud Mining Co. operates eight prep plants and 36 surface and underground mines in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Within these facilities are miles of underground and surface haulage roads and travel ways. The majority of Rosebud's haulage roads and travel ways fall into the following categories: • Stone covered surface haulage roads. The majority of Rosebud's roads fall into this category. While receiving heavy usage, they continually rut and require yearly maintenance; • Concrete roads and storage slabs. This type of surface is found within the eight prep plants and at the end of haulage roads prior to intersecting public highways. • Underground travel ways exposed to mining scoops using chains. The high abrasion loading resulting from this type of equipment quickly degrades conventional concrete. The company recently embarked on a program to evaluate several products to improve the performance and safety of these surfaces while attempting to reduce maintenance expenditures. Roller compacted concrete (RCC) being installed at the Rosebud No. 78 prep plant in Windber, Pa. Roller Compacted Concrete Roller compacted concrete (RCC) is very dry, stiff concrete that is placed with conventional asphalt paving equipment, and then compacted with rollers. As with conventional concrete, it uses cement, stone, and sand. It doesn't require formwork and is often not jointed. The product can take foot traffic and light vehicle loading immediately after rolling, and heavy vehicle loading the day after placement. Compared with conventionally formed concrete, the in-place cost of roller compacted concrete is appreciably less because of placement efficiencies, high placement rates and the absence of labor intensive formwork. In most markets, RCC has an in-place cost equal to or less than asphalt. RCC was developed in Canada in the 1970s for use in its logging industry. With 44 www.coalage.com A full depth reclamation (FDR) project at the Rosebud Brush Valley mine access road in Homer City, Pa. September 2013