Introduction

In Chap. 1, the definition and current status of the main longwall mining methods of underground mining were introduced. The current problems of this method in surrounding rock stress, excavation volume, and ecological protection were analyzed. The reasons for the difficulties in surrounding rock control using this method have been explored, and ways to solve the above problems have been found. The purpose and significance of developing automatically formed roadway (AFR) mining theory and method were clarified. In addition, the main research contents around AFR mining methods in each chapter of this book are briefly described.