"It has been customary in speaking of anthracite and bituminous mining methods to consider them as separate and unrelated. It should be recognized that for any given case the proper method depends on the physical characteristics of the coal seam, roof, and floor, rather than on the rank of the coal. It is true that a large portion of the anthracite seams being worked lie in synclines with steeply pitching sides but the methods of mining employed are governed by these steep pitches, rather than by the fact that the coal is anthracite. Certain flat anthracite seams are worked in a manner similar to those of the bituminous fields, while steeply pitching bituminous beds in Colorado are mined by methods similar to those of the pitching anthracite beds."

-DC Jones, Coal Mining 1941

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-Thou shalt not little vein-

send that to the boys in washington and wilkesbarre.........

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The methods may be simular. But as the boys from MSHAW and the state dont understand when it comes to the safety rules that apply. They are tottaly different. A good example is this tracking situation. It is all line of sight. So in a soft coal mine with longwall mining this may be applicapable. When your talking wide open areas the size of football fields. BUT when working room and pillar there isnt to much of a line of sight. So the system is worthless. Also there isnt any roof bolting in anthracite. So those rules dont apply. Also it is impossible to have a dust explosion in an anthracite mine ( I read USBM reports where they tried to get anthracite dust to create an explosion, and couldnt) Yet the state and federal agencies lump them together in many ways. Just another way to get rid ot the deep mining of anthracite. Bad enough they enforce the laws the way they do, But when you have to follow safety rules that arent even applicabable it just adds to a mine owners or companies expense. Which effects there bottom line. Anyone knows there isnt to much to be made deep mining anthracite in the first place. And its hard dirty work. Now have inspectors breathing down your neck, and excessive fines. ? No wonder not many deep mines or miners are active.