Numerical Study on the Surface Movement Regularity of Deep Mining Underlying the Super-Thick and Weak Cementation Overburden: A Case Study in Western China

Yaqiang Gong, Guangli Guo, Liping Wang, Guojian Zhang, Guangxue Zhang and Zhen Fang
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Yaqiang Gong: School of Environment Science and Spatial Informatics, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Guangli Guo: School of Environment Science and Spatial Informatics, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Liping Wang: School of Environment Science and Spatial Informatics, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Guojian Zhang: School of Environment Science and Spatial Informatics, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Guangxue Zhang: Ying-Pan-Hao Coal Mine, Yankuang Energy Group Company Limited, Ordos 017300, China
Zhen Fang: Ying-Pan-Hao Coal Mine, Yankuang Energy Group Company Limited, Ordos 017300, China

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 3, 1-14

Abstract: While surface movement regularities have been sufficiently understood in the mining practices of eastern China, the case seems to be very different in western China where the super-thick and weak cementation (STWC) overburden exists. To better understand such knowledge, we compared geomining conditions and surface subsidence data for 16 coal mines and developed a carefully calibrated numerical model, with primary concern the relationship between subsidence rate and mining scale. We find that mining under the STWC overburden is characterized by the extremely small subsidence rate compared to the deep mining cases in eastern China, and the unusual subsidence phenomenon should be regional rather than an isolated case. We also find that the critical subsidence basin can be formed only when the goaf length and width both reach about 3.3 h (h is the average mining depth), which is far beyond the conventional understanding. We suggest that the large-scale mining under the STWC overburden carries enormous risks, which require great attention. The reported data, findings, and suggestions in this paper should be quite useful for coal mines with similar geomining conditions, and are also important for ecological protection and sustainable development of western China.

Keywords: mining subsidence; surface movement; weak cementation strata; subsidence rate; numerical modeling; sustainable development; environment protection (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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