Roof bolting is the most popular type of support for underground mines’ workings. However, in Polish coal mines it is used only as a supplementary support. To raise the effectiveness and economic score of horizontal development works, JSW (Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa) started a project to introduce the independent rock bolting support in its mines. The key element of the project is the monitoring of mine workings supported with roof bolting, as appropriate control allows one to ensure a proper level of safety. The following work presents a monitoring system for mine working supported with roof bolting applied in the project, as well as results of the measurements obtained using this system. The aim of the monitoring was to prove that independent roof bolting provides a proper level of safety and thus is applicable in conditions of Polish underground coal mines, particularly Budryk mine. It was to be proved by the evaluation of data obtained from instrumented bolts, extensometers of different type and convergence measurements. These results allowed us to verify the validity and reliability of the roof bolting in geological and mining conditions of Silesian Coal Basin.

This paper presents a system for measuring the geometry of powered roof support sections (Shield Support Monitoring System, SSMS). The problem of measuring the geometry of powered roof support sections for the purpose of predicting geological hazards during the rock excavation process is presented. Information on the construction and implementation of the SSMS and research at the Budryk Mine is included. The research aimed to evaluate both the precision and accuracy of the measurement apparatus created, as well as to examine how operating conditions affect the system’s usability. An analysis of inclinometer measurement errors in the prototype system was conducted during in situ tests, demonstrating minimal scattering and high sensor accuracy according to the provided data.

Perspectives of development of control system dedicated for areas threatened by methane and/or coal dust explosion hazard are presented. Development of self-powered sensors, dedicated for operation in wireless network is one of the development directions. Such a solution will complement typical control systems and it can be used in the places, where there is no possibility of using the typical sensors, in close vicinity to the machine – due to lack of wired connection. General concept of the self-powered sensors with use of two methods of power supply – piezoelectric energy harvester and thermoelectric generator, is given. Perspective of using the methods of artificial intelligence in automatic configuration of sensors network is suggested.

Mining in underground plants is associated with high risk. Improving work safety and increasing the productivity of longwall systems in the mining industry is a problem considering many criteria. Safety aspects concern both the crew and the machinery. The KOMAG Institute of Mining Technology designed and manufactured a geometry monitoring system based on inclinometers that meet the requirements of the ATEX directive. Monitoring of the roof support geometry is used for the prevention of loss of roof stability: roof fall or/and cave-in. The system was tested on a real object in real conditions.

I.A.A.R.C. - International Association for Automation and Robotics in Construction Civil Engineering