Due to the differences not only in the methods themselves and their details, but also in the principles of development of ore and coal deposits, drawing up a single classification of development systems for both is impractical. An attempt to compile such a general classification turned out to be unsuccessful due to complexity and contradictions, and the proposed classifications, to the detriment of one of the specialties, ore or seam, were practically unacceptable. For ore mining systems, which have long been an independent and most important branch of mining in the national economy of the Union, a simple independent classification of ore mining methods is necessary.
The development of deposits by mining consists of separate production processes, which include preparatory, cutting and cleaning work, delivery of ore from the face to hatches or drifts, hauling along rail tracks and lifting. The listed operations, being separate links in the overall process of ore mining, must be mutually linked and represent one coherent whole, for which they must proceed according to a pre-developed schedule with an exact indication of the beginning and end of each. Working in a face with hard rock usually consists of the following operations: 1) drilling, 2) charging and blasting, 3) aerating, 4) removing rock and 5) supporting. The indicated operations must provide either a certain linear development of the workings, if we are talking about preparatory work, or a certain amount of work in cubic meters or by weight in tons. Cyclicity is one of the main conditions of the Stakhanov movement, organically flowing from it, and a correctly calculated cycle in mining is of enormous production importance. Mastering cyclicality in a particular job is directly related to the implementation of the mine’s daily production plan.
