Plus, much of today’s technology in the arena of scoops, shuttle cars and continuous haulage takes into account worker safety, noise reduction and, in some cases, remote usage.

However, other issues – such as lower seams like the one seen in the image – have not completely gone away with the passing of time. As higher and “better” seams become depleted, the technology of tomorrow is coming full circle with manufacturers’ renewed attention to thin seam mining and operators’ plans for developing geologically challenging reserves become reality once more.

Photo courtesy United States Department of Labor

Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) National Mine Health and Safety Academy Technical Information Center & Library, Bureau of Mines Collection