This report examines the issue of research and development (R and D) as well as technological changes in coal mining, focusing primarily on deep coal mining from 1970 to the present. First, a conceptual framework for classification of R and D as well as technological change is developed. A review of the literature that gives a mixed impression of technological change follows. Direct measures of technological change--labor productivity, production functions, and coal factor productivity--are examined. Evidence is provided that shows increasing inputs into technological change from research and development efforts during the 1970s. Determinants of technological change in coal mining (i.e., industry structure, long term contracts, and firm resources) are then discussed. Finally, an examination of the impacts of the 1981 Economic Recovery Tax Act (ERTA) leads to the general conclusion that the ERTA will stimulate coal industry R and D innovations. An appendix contains a summary of information received from the research directors of nine mining machine manufacturers concerning their company's past, present, and future R and D efforts and the effect of the ERTA. (YLB)