Abstract: In this paper, aiming at solving the problem of subjectivity and oneness of the traditional evaluation methods, a new idea of fuzzy analytic hierarchy process was put forward to select mining methods in thick coal seam. Based on the basic principles of fuzzy comprehensive evaluation, in view of the fuzziness and uncertainty of mining method selection in thick coal seam, 4 first level evaluation factors which influencing the mining method selection were determined according to the engineering practice of No. 2 Coal Seam in Dongpang Coal Mine, that is, geological conditions, economic benefits, technical level and safety index, as well as 23 second level evaluation factors. Then, the weights of each first and second level evaluation factors were determined by using fuzzy analytic hierarchy process. The mining method selection in Dongpang Mine were evaluated based on multi-level fuzzy comprehensive evaluation and fuzzy analytic hierarchy process. The results show that the fuzzy membership degree for slicing mining method is 23.19%, and 41.07% for full coal height mining, 35.74% for top coal caving mining, respectively, which indicating that full coal height mining is the best choice.

Key words: thick coal seam, mining method, fuzzy comprehensive evaluation, fuzzy analytic hierarchy process