Preliminary research and scheme design of deep underground in situ geo-information detection experiment for Geology in Time

The deep earth,deep sea,and deep space are the main parts of the national“three deep”strategy,which is in the forefront of the strategic deployment clearly defined in China’s 14th Five-Year Plan(2021-2025)and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035.It is important to reveal the evolutionary process and mechanism of deep tectonics to understand the earth’s past,present and future.The academic con-notation of Geology in Time has been given for the first time,which refers to the multi-field evolution response process of geological bodies at different time and spatial scales caused by geological processes inside and outside the Earth.Based on the deep in situ detection space and the unique geological envi-ronment of China Jinping Underground Laboratory,the scientific issue of the correlation mechanism and law between deep internal time-varying and shallow geological response is given attention.Innovative research and frontier exploration on deep underground in situ geo-information detection experiments for Geology in Time are designed to be carried out,which will have the potential to explore the driving force of Geology in Time,reveal essential laws of deep earth science,and explore innovative technologies in deep underground engineering.

Exploration of the Construction of the Civic and Political Education in Engineering Geology Course

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the integration of the elements of civic and political education into the engineering geology course to improve students’ideological and moral qualities.It is proposed that by integrating elements of civic and political education,students are guided to form a positive attitude toward engineering practice as well as correct values and ethics.With regard to the teaching design and implementation of the course,the implementation paths of teacher team building,careful teaching design,innovative teaching methods,and the integration of civic and politics in practical teaching are proposed to summarize the significance of integrating the elements of civic and political education in the construction of the engineering geology course.It is pointed out that this integration not only improves the quality of the course,but also provides a reference for the civic and political education of other similar professional courses.This integration not only focuses on the teaching of professional knowledge,but also pays more attention to the cultivation of students’ideology and morality,which provides a model and guidance for shaping new talents with all-round development.

William Morris Davis: Father of Geomorphology or Father of Geology’s Unrecognized Paradigm Problem

An often unrecognized problem is the geology and glacial history paradigm’s inability to explain topographic map drainage system and erosional landform evidence, which means geology research studies rarely address that type of topographic map evidence. The problem originated in the late 19th century with William Morris Davis who is sometimes called the father of geomorphology and was one of the first geologists to interpret what in the late 19th century were newly available topographic maps. An 1889 Davis paper describes selected drainage system evidence observed on an advance copy of the 1890 Doylestown (Pennsylvania) topographic map and an 1892 Ward paper written after discussions with Davis describes additional selected drainage system evidence seen on the same map. Both papers fail to mention the majority of the Doylestown map’s drainage system features including most barbed tributaries, asymmetric drainage divides, and through (dry) valleys crossing major drainage divides. Had Davis used all of the map’s drainage system and erosional landform evidence he should have recognized the map evidence shows headward erosion of an east-oriented Neshaminy Creek valley captured southwest-oriented streams which headward erosion of the south-oriented Delaware River valley and its east-oriented tributary Tohickon Creek valley had beheaded. Consciously or unconsciously, Davis chose not to alert future investigators that Doylestown topographic map evidence did not support his yet-to-be-published Pennsylvania and New Jersey erosion history interpretations and instead Davis proceeded to develop and promote erosion history interpretations which the map evidence did not support.

Deep seabed mining:Frontiers in engineering geology and environment

Ocean mining activities have been ongoing for nearly 70 years,making great contributions to industrialization.Given the increasing demand for energy,along with the restructuring of the energy supply catalyzed by efforts to achieve a low-carbon economy,deep seabed mining will play an important role in addressing energy-and resource-related problems in the future.However,deep seabed mining remains in the exploratory stage,with many challenges presented by the high-pressure,low-temperature,and complex geologic and hydrodynamic environments in deep-sea mining areas,which are inaccessible to human activities.Thus,considerable efforts are required to ensure sustainable,economic,reliable,and safe deep seabed mining.This study reviews the latest advances in marine engineering geology and the environment related to deep-sea min-ing activities,presents a bibliometric analysis of the development of ocean mineral resources since the 1950s,summarizes the development,theory,and issues related to techniques for the three stages of ocean mining(i.e.,exploration,extraction,and closure),and discusses the engineering geology environment,geological disasters,in-situ monitoring techniques,envi-ronmental protection requirements,and environmental effects in detail.Finally,this paper gives some key conclusions and future perspectives to provide insights for subsequent studies and commercial mining operations.

Extraction and imaging of indicator elements for non-destructive,in-situ,fast identification of adverse geology in tunnels

The lag in quantitative methods and detection techniques for geologic information has resulted in time-consuming and human-experienced geologic analysis in tunnels.Geochemical indicators of rocks can be used to identify adverse geology and to explain the intrinsic causes of damage to normal rocks.This study proposes a method to identify adverse geology by extracting and imaging the indicator elements.The mapping relationship between rock components and geologic bodies is quickly determined by indicator element extraction based on factor analysis,and then the data are gridded for image output.The location and size of the target adverse geology are visually identified through the distribution images of the indicator elements,thus reducing data dimensions and analysis time.A non-destructive,in-situ and fast element detection technique in tunnels was adopted to speed up the process of geology identification.The accuracy of the detection was validated by comparing field and laboratory test results.This study further confirms and refines the previous research,and the results provide references for geological,mining and underground projects.

Adverse Geology Identification Through Mineral Anomaly Analysis During Tunneling:Methodology and Case Study

Accurate and effective identification of adverse geology is crucial for safe and efficient tunnel construction.Current methods of identifying adverse geology depend on the experience of geologists and are prone to misjudgment and omissions.Here,we propose a method for adverse geology identification in tunnels based on mineral anomaly analysis.The method is based on the theory of geoanomaly,and the mineral anomalies are geological markers of the presence of adverse geology.The method uses exploration data analysis(EDA)to calculate mineral anomaly thresholds,then evaluates the mineral anomalies based on the thresholds and identifies adverse geology based on the characteristics of the mineral anomalies.We have established a dynamic expansion process for background samples to achieve the dynamic evaluation of mineral anomalies by adjusting anomaly thresholds.This method has been validated and applied in a tunnel excavated in granite.As shown herein,in the tunnel range of 142+800–142+860,the fault F37 was successfully identified based on an anomalous decrease in the diagenetic minerals plagioclase and hornblende,as well as an anomalous increase in the content of the alteration minerals chlorite,laumonite,and epidote.The proposed method provides a timely warning when a tunnel enters areas affected by adverse geology and identifies whether the tunnel is gradually approaching or moving away from the fault.In addition,the applicability,accuracy,and further improvement of the method are discussed.This method improves our ability to identify adverse geology,from qualitative to quantitative,and can provide reference and guidance for the identification of adverse geology in mining and underground engineering.

Geology and Mineral Deposits of Saraikistan (South Punjab, Koh Sulaiman Range) of Pakistan: A Tabular Review of Recently Discovered Biotas from Pakistan and Paleobiogeographic Link: Phylogeny and Hypodigm of Poripuchian Titanosaurs from Indo-Pakistan

Saraikistan (South Punjab and surrounding) area of Pakistan is located in the central Pakistan. This area represents Triassic-Jurassic to Recent sedimentary marine and terrestrial strata. Most of the Mesozoic and Early Cenozoic are represented by marine strata with rare terrestrial deposits, while the Late Cenozoic is represented by continental fluvial deposits. This area hosts significant mineral deposits and their development can play a significant role in the development of Saraikistan region and ultimately for Pakistan. The data of recently discovered biotas from Cambrian to Miocene age are tabulated for quick view. Mesozoic biotas show a prominent paleobiogeographic link with Gondwana and Cenozoic show Eurasian. Phylogeny and hypodigm of Poripuchian titanosaurs from India and Pakistan are hinted at here.

Forward prediction for tunnel geology and classification of surrounding rock based on seismic wave velocity layered tomography

Excavation under complex geological conditions requires effective and accurate geological forward-prospecting to detect the unfavorable geological structure and estimate the classification of surround-ing rock in front of the tunnel face.In this work,a forward-prediction method for tunnel geology and classification of surrounding rock is developed based on seismic wave velocity layered tomography.In particular,for the problem of strong multi-solution of wave velocity inversion caused by few ray paths in the narrow space of the tunnel,a layered inversion based on regularization is proposed.By reducing the inversion area of each iteration step and applying straight-line interface assumption,the convergence and accuracy of wave velocity inversion are effectively improved.Furthermore,a surrounding rock classification network based on autoencoder is constructed.The mapping relationship between wave velocity and classification of surrounding rock is established with density,Poisson’s ratio and elastic modulus as links.Two numerical examples with geological conditions similar to that in the field tunnel and a field case study in an urban subway tunnel verify the potential of the proposed method for practical application.

Wisdom and Geology, the North German Basin, and the Significance of Thrown Dices

For thousands of years, mankind is observing the surrounding nature. Often, they found no obvious clues for inexplicable and complex facts, leading to the belief that their wisdom was limited. This is in the majority of cases still true today, but based on hundreds of years of (geo-) scientific work some older thoughts can now be readjusted by combining newer geological, environmental, historical and philosophical clues. Facts about the development of the North German Basin are used to demonstrate the variability of geological systems and how these can be described by taking dice as a metaphor for ruling geological parameters. This includes all kinds of plate tectonically controlled basin forming processes, especially metamorphism of the lower crust due to a fixed mantle plume, basin filling processes with their galactic and lunar overprints, basin modifying tectonics due to internal (halokinesis, inversion) or external forces (one-sided loads at the surface due to mighty Delta sediments or glacial ice sheets) and geochemical reactions as a result of pressure and temperature changes in course of subsidence. Especially, the Rotliegend (Lower Permian) Gas Play is one of the possible illustrations of the entity of the North German Basin with its more than 70 - 90 independent parameters belonging to a global set of very complex hydrocarbon systems. Processes on Earth like the formation of systems of hydrocarbon fields as well as environmental systems (e.g. river systems, lakes, islands, sedimentary basins) are subordinated to the dices of nature and are steered invisibly by a selection of rules of the game that one understands as natural laws. The facts and remaining uncertainties as well as problems with subsurface-related processes (e.g. manmade tectonics, subsidence and uplift) guide the thoughts of engaged individuals on how to proceed wisely with limited predictability of challenges and dangers of a subsurface system. This work will be a trial to associate once more the natural sciences (geology) and the humanities (philosophy) for the benefit of both.

OneGeology:Making Geological Map Data for the Earth Accessible

OneGeology is an international initiative of the geological surveys of the world and a flagship project of the"International Year of Planet Earth".Its aim is to create a digital geological map of the world and to make it available via the web to all.The target scale is l:l million but the project is pragmatic and accepts a range of scales and the best available data.To date, 102 countries are participating in the project and。

Geology:2013年四川芦山地震:中国四川盆地山脉前缘盲断层产生的地震灾害

2014年8月Geology杂志发表了一篇“2013年四川芦山地震：中国四川盆地山脉前缘盲断层产生的地震灾害”（The 2013Lushan earthquake：Implications for seismic hazards posed by the Range Front blind thrust in the Sichuan Basin,China）的文章.

Petroleum geology features and research developments of hydrocarbon accumulation in deep petroliferous basins

As petroleum exploration advances and as most of the oil-gas reservoirs in shallow layers have been explored, petroleum exploration starts to move toward deep basins, which has become an inevitable choice. In this paper, the petroleum geology features and research progress on oil-gas reservoirs in deep petroliferous basins across the world are characterized by using the latest results of worldwide deep petroleum exploration. Research has demonstrated that the deep petroleum shows ten major geological features. （1） While oil-gas reservoirs have been discovered in many different types of deep petroliferous basins, most have been discovered in low heat flux deep basins. （2） Many types of petroliferous traps are developed in deep basins, and tight oil-gas reservoirs in deep basin traps are arousing increasing attention. （3） Deep petroleum normally has more natural gas than liquid oil, and the natural gas ratio increases with the burial depth. （4） The residual organic matter in deep source rocks reduces but the hydrocarbon expulsion rate and efficiency increase with the burial depth. （5） There are many types of rocks in deep hydrocarbon reservoirs, and most are clastic rocks and carbonates. （6） The age of deep hydrocarbon reservoirs is widely different, but those recently discovered are pre- dominantly Paleogene and Upper Paleozoic. （7） The porosity and permeability of deep hydrocarbon reservoirs differ widely, but they vary in a regular way with lithology and burial depth. （8） The temperatures of deep oil-gas reservoirs are widely different, but they typically vary with the burial depth and basin geothermal gradient. （9） The pressures of deep oil-gas reservoirs differ significantly, but they typically vary with burial depth, genesis, and evolu- tion period. （10） Deep oil-gas reservoirs may exist with or without a cap, and those without a cap are typically of unconventional genesis. Over the past decade, six major steps have been made in the understanding of deep hydrocarbon reservoir formation. （1） Deep petroleum in petroliferous basins has multiple sources and many dif- ferent genetic mechanisms. （2） There are high-porosity, high-permeability reservoirs in deep basins, the formation of which is associated with tectonic events and subsurface fluid movement. （3） Capillary pressure differences inside and outside the target reservoir are the principal driving force of hydrocarbon enrichment in deep basins. （4） There are three dynamic boundaries for deep oil-gas reservoirs; a buoyancy-controlled threshold, hydrocarbon accumulation limits, and the upper limit of hydrocarbon generation. （5） The formation and distribution of deep hydrocarbon res- ervoirs are controlled by free, limited, and bound fluid dynamic fields. And （6） tight conventional, tight deep, tight superimposed, and related reconstructed hydrocarbon reservoirs formed in deep-limited fluid dynamic fields have great resource potential and vast scope for exploration. Compared with middle-shallow strata, the petroleum geology and accumulation in deep basins are more complex, which overlap the feature of basin evolution in different stages. We recommend that further study should pay more attention to four aspects： （1） identification of deep petroleum sources and evaluation of their relative contributions; （2） preservation conditions and genetic mechanisms of deep high-quality reservoirs with high permeability and high porosity; （3） facies feature and transformation of deep petroleum and their potential distribution; and （4） economic feasibility evaluation of deep tight petroleum exploration and development.

Mineralization Styles and Genesis of the Yinkeng Au-Ag-Pb-Zn-Cu-Mn Polymetallic Orefield, Southern Jiangxi Province, SE China: Evidence from Geology, Fluid Inclusions, Isotopes and Chronology

The Yinkeng orefield in Yudu County,Jiangxi Province,SE China,is a zone of concentrated Au-Ag-Pb-Zn-Cu-Mn polymetallic ores.Based on summing up basic geology and ore geology of the orefieid,the polymetallic deposits in the orefield have been divided into seven major substyles according to their occurring positions and control factors.The ore-forming fluid inclusion styles in the orefield include those of two-phase fluid,liquid CO2-bearing three-phase and daughter mineral-bearing multi-phase.The homogenization temperatures range from 382° to 122℃,falling into five clusters of 370° to 390°,300° to 360°,230° to 300°,210° to 290° and 120° to 200°,and the clusters of 300° to 360°,230° to 300° and 120° to 200° are three major mineralization stages,with fluid salinity peaks from 4.14% to 7.31%,2.07% to 7.31% and 0.53% to 3.90%,respectively.The ore-forming fluids are mainly type of NaCl-H2O with medium to high density （0.74-1.02 g/cm3）,or CO2-bearing NaCl-H2O with medium to low density （0.18-0.79 g/cm3）.The fluid salinity and density both show a decline tendency with decreasing temperature.According to the measurement and calculation of Hand O-isotopic compositions in the quartz of the quartz-sulfide veins,δDV-SMOW of the ore-forming fluid is from-84‰ to-54‰,and δ18OV-SMOW of that is from 6.75‰ to 9.21‰,indicating a magmatic fluid.The δ34SV-CDT of sulfides in the ores fall into two groups,one is from-4.4‰ to 2.2‰ with average of-1.42‰,and the other from 18.8‰ to 21.6‰ with average of 19.8‰.The S-isotopic data shows one peak at-4.4‰ to 2.2‰ （meaning-1.42‰） suggesting a simple magmatic sulfur source.The ore Pbisotopic ratios are 206pb/204pb from 17.817 to 17.983,207pb/204pb from 15.470 to 15.620 and 208pb/204pb from 38.072 to 38.481,indicating characteristics of mantle-derived lead.The data show that the major ore deposits in the orefield have a magmatic-hydrothermal genesis and that the SHRIMP zircon age of the granodiorite porphyry,closely related to the mineralization,is 151.2±4.2 Ma （MSWD =1.3）,which can represent the formation ages of the ores and intrusion rocks.The study aids understanding of the ore-forming processes of the major metallic ore deposits in the orefield.

The geology, structure and mineralisation of the Oyu Tolgoi porphyry copper-gold-molybdenum deposits, Mongolia： A review

The Oyu Tolgoi cluster of seven porphyry Cu-Au-Mo deposits in southern Mongolia,define a narrow,linear,12 km long,almost continuously mineralised trend,which contains in excess of 42 Mt of Cu and1850 t of Au,and is among the largest high grade porphyry Cu-Au deposits in the world.These deposits lie within the Gurvansayhan island-arc terrane,a fault bounded segment of the broader Silurian to Carboniferous Kazakh-Mongol arc,located towards the southern margin of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt,a collage of magmatic arcs that were periodically active from the late Neoproterozoic to PermoTriassic,extending from the Urals Mountains to the Pacific Ocean.Mineralisation at Oyu Tolgoi is associated with multiple,overlapping,intrusions of late Devonian（～372 to 370 Ma） quartzmonzodiorite intruding Devonian（or older） juvenile,probably intra-oceanic arc-related,basaltic lavas and lesser volcaniclastic rocks,unconformably overlain by late Devonian（～370 Ma） basaltic to dacitic pyroclastic and volcano sedimentary rocks.These quartz-monzodiorite intrusions range from earlymineral porphyritic dykes,to larger,linear,syn-,late- and post-mineral dykes and stocks.Ore was deposited within syn-mineral quartz-monzodiorites,but is dominantly hosted by augite basalts and to a lesser degree by overlying dacitic pyroclastic rocks.Following ore deposition,an allochthonous plate of older Devonian（or pre-Devonian） rocks was overthrust and a post-ore biotite granodiorite intruded at～365 Ma.Mineralisation is characterised by varying,telescoped stages of intrusion and alteration.Early A-type quartz veined dykes were followed by Cu-Au mineralisation associated with potassic alteration,mainly K-feldspar in quartz-monzodiorite and biotite-magnetite in basaltic hosts.Downward reflux of cooled,late-magmatic hydrothermal fluid resulted in intense quartz-sericite retrograde alteration in the upper parts of the main syn-mineral intrusions,and an equivalent chlorite-muscovite/illite-hematite assemblage in basaltic host rocks.Uplift,facilitated by syn-mineral longitudinal faulting,brought sections of the porphyry deposit to shallower depths,to be overprinted and upgraded by late stage,shallower,advanced argillic alteration and high sulphidation mineralisation.Key controls on the location,size and grade of the deposit cluster include（i） a long-lived,narrow faulted corridor;（ii） multiple pulses of overlapping intrusion within the same structure;and（iii） enclosing reactive,mafic dominated wall rocks,focussing ore.

Research and Application of In-seam Seismic Survey Technology for Disaster-causing Potential Geology Anomalous Body in Coal Seam

In order to effectively detect potential geology anomalous bodies in coal bearing formation,such as coal seam thickness variation,small faults,goafs and collapse columns,and provide scientific guidance for safe and efficient mining,the SUMMIT-II EX explosion-proof seismic slot wave instrument,produced by German DMT Company,was used to detect the underground channel wave with the help of transmission method,reflection method and transflective method.Region area detection experiment in mining face had been carried out thanks to the advantage of channel wave,such as its great dispersion,abundant geology information,strong anti-interference ability and long-distance detecting.The experimental results showed that:(1)Coal seam thickness variation in extremely unstable coal seam has been quantitatively interpreted with an accuracy of more than 80%generally;(2)The faults,goafs and collapse columns could be detected and predicted accurately;(3)Experimental detection of gas enrichment areas,stress concentration regions and water inrush risk zone has been collated;(4)A research system of disaster-causing geology anomalous body detection by in-seam seismic survey has been built,valuable and innovative achievements have been got.Series of innovation obtained for the first time in this study indicated that it was more effective to detect disaster-causing potential geology anomalies by in-seam seismic survey than by ground seismic survey.It had significant scientific value and application prospect under complex coal seam conditions.

Conditions of Petroleum Geology of the Qiangtang Basin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau located in the Tethyan tectonic domain is the best developed region of Mesozoic and Cenozoic marine sediments in China. The Qiangtang basin is the biggest and relatively stable area of the plateau. Triassic and Jurassic hydrocarbon source rocks are extensively distributed in the basin. There exist good dolomite and organic reef reservoirs and mudstone and evaporite cap rocks, as well as well-developed structural traps in the basin; in addition destroyed petroleum traps have been discovered. Therefore, the conditions of petroleum geology in the Qiangtang basin are excellent

Geology and Geochemistry of the Yangtizishan-Moshishan Metamorphosed Sedimentary Anatase Deposit in Zhenglan Qi,Inner Mongolia:Discovery of a New Genetic Type of Titanium Deposit

Anatase and its allomorphic mineral rutile have the most prominent economic significance among titanium mineral resources and constitute one of the badly needed mineral resources currently in China. The Yantizishan-Moshishan anatase deposit was formerly referred to as an iron deposit. Based on recent investigation and exploration the authors believe that it is actually a large metamorphosed sedimentary anatase-dominated deposit belonging to a new genetic type. Ore bodies occur in stratoid and lenticular forms in Mesoproterozoic （1751 Ma） schist, metasandstone （metasiltstone）, and amphibolite. Rich ores have perthitic structure comprising chiefly interbedded quartz perthite （with disseminated anatase and rutile） and anatase perthite. Ore minerals are mainly anatase and subordinately rutile and ilmenite （±hematite）, while nonmetallic minerals are chiefly quartz with a certain amount of anthophyllite and biotite （±garnet）. The grain sizes of anatase, ruffle and ilmenite are 0.01-0.1 mm. Rich ores contain 3.14% to 15.46% TiO2. averaging 6.91%, while the low-grade ores have TiO2 content about 1.2%to 2.97%, averaging 1.76%. The ores have relatively high TFe and V contents. Trace elements in anatase and rutile such as Nb and Cr were analyzed by the electron microprobe. According to their relatively low Nb and Cr contents, source anatase and rutile must have come from meta-mafic rocks. Trace elements of the associated ilmenite show relatively high MnO and low MgO contents, just in contrast to those of ilmenite in V-Ti-magnetite ores of magmatic origin. The protoliths of amphibolite wall rocks should be basalt and picrite-basalt. Pertochemical data suggest that the tectonic setting of these rocks belongs to an island arc or a transitional belt between the island arc and oceanic ridge. Silicon isotope study shows that δ30Si values of different anatase ores, quartzite, and schist in this deposit are 0.1‰ to -0.9‰, similar to those of marine hydrothermal exhalative sedimentary deposits. All of these geological and geochemical characteristics of the ore deposit suggest that the anatase ores and amphibolite are products of submarine basic volcanism. The ores had chemical precipitation features, but were later subjected to regional intermediate （or somewhat lower） grade metamorphism （1158 Ma）. Rutile was formed mainly in the process of this metamorphism. The ore belt locally underwent hydrothermal modification during the emplacement of Late Yanshanian granite （118 Ma）.

Acoustic-Physical Properties of Calcareous Seafloor Soils and Their Significance in Engineering Geology

The basic features and acoustic-physical properties of calcareous seafloor soils in the tropic sea area are obviously different from those of sediments mainly composed of terrigenous materials in the South China Sea. Generally calcareous soils, composed of carbonate particles of marine organism remains. have the characteristics of high water content, high porosity, low wet density, high sound velocity and greatly varied comprehensive strength. Recognizing the differences between calcareous soils and terrigenous sediments and engineering geologic significance of calcareous soils is crucial for seafloor geologic research and geotechnical survey for pile-jacket platform foundation design.

The Status Quo and Outlook of Chinese Coal Geology and Exploration Technologies

Coal is China＇s dominant energy resource. Coal geological exploration is the basis of sustainable development of coal industry. Since the late 1990s, the advances in Chinese coal geology and exploration techniques have been shown in the following aspects. （1） The basic research of coal geology has changed from traditional geological studies to earth system science; （2） Breakthroughs have been achieved in integrated exploration techniques for coal resources; （3） Evaluation of coal and coalbed methane resources provides important basis for macropolicy making for China＇s coal industry and construction of large coal bases; （4） Significant advances have been made in using information technology in coal geological exploration and 3S （GPS, GIS, RS） technology. For the present and a period of time in the future, major tasks of Chinese coal geological technology are as follows： （1） solving resources replacement problem in eastern China and geological problems of deep mining; （2） solving problem of integrated coal exploration of complex regions in energy bases of central China, and resources problems induced by coal exploitation; （3） making efforts to enhance the level of geological research and resources evaluation of coal-accumulation basins in western China; （4） strengthening geological research of clean coal technologies; （5） strengthening geological research of the problems in modern coal mining and safe production; （6） promoting information technology in coal resources and major geological investigations.

Development of a multiple level underground limestone mine from geology through mine planning

The development of a multiple level underground mine is a complex task in which geology,engineering,ground control,and unit operations are integrated into a single mine design.The components are interdependent and must function cohesively to ensure a profitable underground mining operation.To optimize reserve recovery,mine planning should begin from the lowest level and progress up.This limits any misjudgments or oversights of a given level affecting the underlying levels and ensures the ability to maximize recovery from each level.Mine planning should start with the exploration and characterization of the geologic setting.Once the reserve geology and quality is well understood,then mine planning can begin with respect to the following:(1)orientation of mine works with respect to horizontal stress;(2)access to the reserve;(3)determination of opening widths;(4)selection of back,floor horizons and pillar centers;(5)selection of development and secondary mining heights;(6)appropriate inter-burden thicknesses;and(7)examining the stability of the multiple level mine through numerical modeling.The multiple level mine design process and decisions are presented through a case history example.The theme is that there is one opportunity to"get it right"and many chances to overlook a small aspect within the design that will plague the mine throughout all levels and through the entirety of its operating life.