ABSTRACT
Whist significant research has been carried out to measure or assess the handleability of coal blends little work has been undertaken to investigate the causes of poor handleability. Many of the devices used to assess handleability were designed for other purposes, e.g. the design of hoppers or the simulation of discharging from railway wagons. However, the use of these devices points to possible sources of poor handleability. A study of the coal winning (the extraction of coal and bringing it to the surface on a deep mine), blend preparation and transportation processes has been undertaken to provide a better understanding of the resultant causes of poor handleability.
