The hydro-mining technology is considered as a promising method of bituminous coal excavation. The paper presents the results of the in-situ experimental campaign and modelling of hydro-cutting technology application. The proposed innovative technology was tested in terms of the effects of the distance between the outlet of water from the nozzle and a sidewall, pressure of the water jet, as well as the type of a nozzle on hydro-mining effectiveness. The hydro-cutting tests of coal seam performed in the Experimental Mine "Barbara" in Poland proved that the increase in water pressure in the range 20-40 MPa only slightly affects the coal face structure, while high pressure, of 80-100 MPa, has a significant impact on a coal face structure. The experimental results also showed the major effects of operating time as well as the distance of the water jet on the effectiveness of coal face mining.
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