Going on a coal-mine tour tomorrow. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, somewhat ironically - after all, the people who work the mines get plenty of opportunity. Outsiders don't, however. I believe this is a long-wall mine. The thought of hydraulic shocks moving along as the shearer cuts into the seam, and the area behind collapsing ... makes me apprehensive.
See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longwall_mining.
I will try to get some pics, although I suspect only pics on the surface will be allowed.