Radiation Properties of Coal and Barren Rocks: Geotechnical Applications

The article presents the studies into accumulation, distribution patterns and concentration conditions of radioactive elements in natural coal. The distribution patterns of radioactive elements in coal as function of its grade are also found. The application range of radiation properties of coal and barren rocks is substantiated for identifying the coal–barren rocks interface in longwall top coal caving with gravity coal flow to AFC. The working capacity of the nuclear geophysics method with metallic shielding of a responsive indicator is proved experimentally.