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Blasting Gallery Thick-Seam Mining in India: Lifecycle Performance, Coupled Failure Pathways, and Scalability Limits – A Retrospective Multi-Case Synthesis

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Preprints.org
DOI
10.20944/preprints202609.1777.v1

Background: The blasting gallery (BG) method extracts thick coal seams in a single lift through floor-level development, long-hole ring blasting, remote load-haul-dump loading, and controlled caving. Its Indian record contains local successes but uncertain and sustained scalability. Methods: A retrospective multi-case synthesis examined seven Indian applications using 75 sources available until August 14, 2026. The evidence was classified as complete-cycle execution (L1), panel success (L2), sustained performance (L3), or cross-coalfield scalability (L4). Five coupled control functions and five interruption pathways were assessed. Results: All seven applications supported L1, and four supported stronger L2 evidence. L3 was limited or localised in four cases, uncertain in one case, and not located in two; L4 was not established. Three interacting pathways were identified: drilling and charging variability impairing fragmentation and remote loading, delayed caving increasing unsupported span and dynamic demand, and leakage-promoting self-heating. This interruption amplified all three. Conclusions: BG evidence demonstrates technical feasibility and selected panel success, but not comparable cross-site scalability. Assessment should prioritise full-cycle availability, retreat momentum, interruption tolerance, verified goaf control and remote resolution of abnormal states. The detailed methods, case matrices, and evidence audit trails are provided in the Supplementary Material.

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