Applying Artificial Pillar to Replace the Coal Pillar Protecting Roadway to Increase Production Efficiency and Sustainable Development in the Vietnamese Coal Industry

Abstract

Vietnam's domestic coal production is growing fast and is expected to reach 68.9 million tons in 2030, nearly 1.5 times higher than today. Open-pit mines will gradually reduce production and close, and underground mining coal output will increase progressively year by year and take a leading role. Besides the investment in new mines to achieve these goals, it is necessary to maximize the coal reserve exploited annually of existing underground mine projects, which its coal reserve in pillars protecting roadways currently accounts for 12 − 15%. The further exploitation of this coal reserve will decrease the costs of preparation of underground mines and granting mining rights and depreciation of infrastructure assets. Moreover, it will help reduce the loss of non-renewable resources and contributing to the sustainable development of Vietnam’s coal industry.