Relationships Between Fundamental Characteristics and Industrial Properties of New Zealand Coals. Report of Investigations on the Breakability During Mining of Bituminous Coals from Strongman Mine, Greymouth Coalfield

This report outlines the problems caused by coal fines, the influence of petrography and mineral matter content on grindability and size distribution, and the influence of rank on hardness and grindability. This is related to the breakability during mining and handling. Fines generation will never be totally avoided whatever the mining method. However prediction of the amount of fines likely to be produced during mining can be extremely useful for mining management and planning , coal preparation, and marketing. At the exploration stage, characterization of coal mechanical properties and grandability can help assessment of profitability of the future mine and selection of an appropriate mining to be used.