Employees of the Leningrad Mining Institute together with workers of Mine No. 1/2 of the trust "Uglegorskugol" in 1967-1968 conducted at the mine observations of the manifestations of rock pressure at different methods of extraction and roof management. The purpose of the observations was to improve the technology of extraction of gently dipping Seam VI and to choose the most rational method of roof management. Seam VI is relatively uniform, the workable thickness is 0.95-1.10 m, the dip angle is 8-15° The roof of the seam is represented by layered claystones (0.4-0.6 m) and dense fine-grained sandstones (15-20 m). The floor of the seam is composed of claystones (0.1 m) and siltstones of medium strength, up to 8-10 m thick.

Through joint efforts of the staff of the Leningrad Mining Institute and the Sakhalinugol Combine, in 1967-1968 numerous mine and laboratory investigations were carried out, aimed at improving mining systems, face operation mechanization, and roof control for thick gently dipping seams.