An alternative method of mining is advance longwall mining. In longwall advancing, the longwall face is set up a short distance from the main development headings. The gate entries of the longwall face are formed as the coal is mined. The gate roadways are thus formed adjacent to the goaf. Normally the gate roads are protected from the goaf by a line of packs, which are built to provide protection to the gate roads and minimising excessive circulation of air between the gate entries through the goaf. The gate entries are known as main gate and tail gate. The gate roads servicing an advancing longwall panel are single entries and each coal panel is separate from the adjacent workings with a solid barrier pillar, whose width is dependent upon the depth of the working. Generally the main gate contains the belt conveyor and the pantechnicon for facilitating power and logistics to the longwall face. A typical advancing panel layout can be seen opposite.