A high level of knowledge is now available in the extremely relevant field of underground gas emissions from coal mines. However, there are still tasks seeking improved solutions, such as prediction of gas emissions, choice of the most suitable panel design, extension of predrainage systems, further optimization of postdrainage systems, options for the control of gas emissions during retreat mining operations, and prevention of gas outbursts. Research results on these most important topics are presented and critically evaluated. Methods to predict gas emissions for disturbed and undisturbed longwall faces are presented. Prediction of the worked seam gas emission and the gas emission from headings are also mentioned but not examined in detail. The ventilation requirements are derived from the prediction results and in combination with gas drainage the best distribution of available air currents is planned. The drainage of the gas from the worked coal seam, also referred to as predrainage, can be performed without application of suction only by over or underworking the seam. But in cases where this simple method is not applicable or not effective enough, inseam-boreholes are needed to which suction is applied for a relatively long time. The reason for this is the low permeability of deep coal seams in Europe. The main influences on the efficiency of the different degasing methods are explained. Conventional gas drainage employing cross measure boreholes is still capable of improvement, in terms of drilling and equipment as well as the geometrical borehole parameters and the operation of the overall system. improved control of gas emissions at the return end of retreating faces can be achieved by installation of gas drainage systems based on drainage roadways or with long and large diameter boreholes. The back-return method can be operated safely only with great difficulty, if at all. Another method is lean-gas drainage from the goaf. The gas outburst situation in Germany is characterized by events predominantly in the form of 'nonclassical' outbursts categorized as 'sudden liberation of significant quantities of gas'. Recent research results in this field led to a classification of these phenomena into five categories, for which suitable early detection and prevention measures are mentioned. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.
