Study on Critical,Modern Technology for Mining in Gassy Deep Mines

To achieve safe and highly efficient mining in the gassy, deep mines of the Huainan collieries simultaneous coal and gas extraction, and the corresponding ventilation methods were developed. This includes a set of mining procedures and principles which help insure safe and efficient production. Furthermore, green mining, meaning the comprehensive use of emitted gas, proper treatment of the environment and appropriate mine temperature control, is now standard. The concepts of modem mining and the principles of pressure relief are described. Coal-gas simultaneous ex- traction and multi-pressure relief techniques were developed which require a combination of surface and underground gas extraction. The application of Y-ventilation systems, of roadways retained along goafs, of stress control techniques for highly fragile mine roofs and of powerful, automatic and reliable mining equipment contributes to safe operation of modem deep mines. Operating parameters for these techniques are described and the results of their use discussed.

An operational approach to ground control in deep mines

As mines go deeper and get larger,mine designs become more fragile largely due to the response of the rock mass to mining.Ground control and rock support become important levers in the mine construction schedule,production performance,and excavation health.For example,in cave mines,the production footprint together with associated mine infrastructure are significant investments in a modern caving operation.This investment must be protected and maintained to reduce the risk of ground-related production disruptions.It is necessary to preserve the health of these excavations and their maintenance through an effective rock support design.Rock support thus becomes a strategic element in asset management.This article focuses on support design for brittle ground when displacements induced by stress-fracturing consume much of the support’s capacity.It deals with the functionality of the support in deforming ground.Several interlinked concepts are important when assessing excavation health.Designs must not only account for load equilibrium but also for deformation compatibility and capacity consumption.Most importantly,the support’s displacement capacity is being consumed when the rock mass is deformed after support installation.Hence,it is necessary to design for the support capacity remaining at the time when the support is needed.If support capacity can be consumed,it can also be restored by means of preventive support maintenance(PSM).This concept for cost-effective ground control is introduced and illustrated on operational evidence.Furthermore,how design can impact construction costs and schedule are discussed.Support is installed to provide a safe environment and preserve an operationally functional excavation.It also must assure senior management that investments in high quality support and its maintenance will substantially reduce delays and with it,costs.It is demonstrated that the use of‘gabion-like’support systems can achieve these goals.A technical summary of the‘gabion panel’support system design is presented.

Research on the "three shells" cooperative support technology of large-section chambers in deep mines

The"three shells"cooperative support technology was proposed herein according to both the large deformation of the rock surrounding large-section chambers in deep mines and the precarious stability of the support structures therein.The development range of the plastic zone in the surrounding rock was controlled by a stress shell to reduce the difficulty of controlling the surrounding rock.Additionally,the residual strength of the rock mass in the plastic zone and the self-bearing capacity of the surrounding rock were improved by a reinforced load-bearing shell.Furthermore,a passive load-bearing shell could restore the triaxial stress state of the surrounding rock on the free surface,reduce the influence of the external environment on the surrounding rock,and reinforce the surrounding rock with the strength of the shell.Reasonable layouts of large-section chambers were determined by analyzing the control effect of the stress shell on the surrounding rock under three kinds of in situ stress fields.The orthogonal test method was applied to reveal the influences of different support parameters in the reinforced loadbearing shell and passive load-bearing shell on the surrounding rock stability.The surrounding rock control effect of the"three shells"collaborative support technology was analyzed through numerical simulation and field monitoring.The results show that the maximum displacement between the roof and floor of the coal preparation chamber in the Xinjulong coal mine was approximately 48 mm,and the maximum displacement between its two sides was approximately 65 mm,indicating that the technology proposed herein could meet the long-term control requirements of the surrounding rock stability for large-section chambers in deep mines.

Optimization of mining method in subsea deep gold mines: A case study

The mining method optimization in subsea deep gold mines was studied. First, an index system for subsea mining method selection was established based on technical feasibility, security status, economic benefit, and management complexity. Next, an evaluation matrix containing crisp numbers and triangular fuzzy numbers(TFNs) was constructed to describe quantitative and qualitative information simultaneously. Then, a hybrid model combining fuzzy theory and the Tomada de Decis?o Interativa Multicritério(TODIM) method was proposed. Finally, the feasibility of the proposed approach was validated by an illustrative example of selecting the optimal mining method in the Sanshandao Gold Mine(China). The robustness of this approach was demonstrated through a sensitivity analysis. The results show that the proposed hybrid TODIM method is reliable and stable for choosing the optimal mining method in subsea deep gold mines and provides references for mining method optimization in other similar undersea mines.

Double-directional control bolt support technology and engineering application at large span Y-type intersections in deep coal mines

Under deep and complex geological conditions,severe deformation occurs at intersection points of Y-type roadways with large cross sections during engineering projects in coal mines,especially at junction arches.Based on in-situ investigations and theoretical studies,we have summarized typical forms of destruction and identified high stress and unrestricted support at both sides of junction arch as its main causes.In this study,we also presented double-directional control bolt support technology for a large Y-type span intersection,applied to deep intersection engineering in the Jiahe Coal Mine,which has proved effective.

Monitoring, Warning, and Control of Rockburst in Deep Metal Mines

This paper reviews the recent achievements made by our team in the mitigation of rockburst risk. It includes the development of neural network modeling on rockburst risk assessment for deep gold mines in South Af- rica, an intelligent microseismicity monitoring system and sensors, an understanding of the rockburst evolution process using laboratory and in situ tests and monitoring, the establishment of a quantitative warning method for the location and intensities of different types of rockburst, and the development of measures for the dynamic control of rockburst. The mitigation of rockburst at the Hongtoushan copper mine is presented as an illustrative example.

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.

STUDY ON LAWS OF UNDERGROUND PRESSURE APPEARANCEIN THE DEEP ENTRIES OF COAL MINES

Based on a large amount of field investigation and observations, the paper analyzes and summarizes the mining depths and depth distribution of coal mines in China, discusses the characteristics of undrground pressure appearance in the entries of deep mining, points out some characteristics of surtounding rocks when rHo> =0.5, such as obvious rheologital deformation,and puts forward the main principles of supporting the entries in deep mining

Research progress and application of deep in-situ condition preserved coring and testing

With the depletion of shallow resources,the exploration of deep earth resources has become a global strategy.The study of the different patterns in the physical mechanical properties of rocks at different occurrence depths is the basis for exploring deep into the earth,with the core and premise being the acquisition and testing of deep in-situ core specimens.Based on the original idea of deep in-situ condition preserved coring(ICP-Coring)and testing,combined with theoretical modeling,numerical analysis,test platform development,indoor testing and engineering application,the principles and technologies of deep ICP-Coring are developed.This principle and technology consists of five parts:in-situ pressurepreserved coring(IPP-Coring),in-situ substance-preserved coring(ISP-Coring),in-situ temperaturepreserved coring(ITP-Coring),in-situ light-preserved coring(ILP-Coring),and in-situ moisturepreserved coring(IMP-Coring).The theory and technology of temperature and pressure reconstruction at different occurrence depths and in different environments are proposed,and prototype trial production was completed by following the principle of displacement and tests based on the in-situ reconstructed environment.The notable advances are as follows:(1)Deep in-situ coring system:A pressure-preserved controller with an ultimate bearing capacity greater than 140 MPa,highperformance(temperature-resistant,pressure-resistant,and low thermally conductive)temperaturepreserved materials,an active temperature control system,and high-barrier quality-preserved membrane materials were developed;a deep ICP-Coring capacity calibration platform was independently developed,a deep in-situ coring technology system was developed,and the acquisition of deep in-situ cores was realized.(2)In-situ storage displacement system:Following the dual-circuit hydraulic design idea,a single-drive source push-pull composite grabbing mechanism was designed;the design of the overall structure for the deep in-situ displacement storage system and ultrahigh pressure cabin structure was completed,which could realize docking the coring device and core displacement in the in-situ reconstructed environment.(3)Test analysis system:A noncontact acoustic-electric-magnetic test system was developed under the in-situ reconstructed environment,and the errors between the test results and traditional contact test results were mostly less than 10%;a detachable deep in-situ core true triaxial test system was developed,which could perform loading tests for deep in-situ cores.The relevant technological achievements were successfully applied to the exploration and development of deep resources,such as deep mines,deep-sea natural gas hydrates,and deep oil and gas.The research results provide technical and equipment support for the construction of a theoretical system for deep in-situ rock mechanics,the development of deep earth resources and energy,and the scientific exploration of different layers and occurrence depths(deep and ultradeep)of the Earth.

Study of a low-disturbance pressure-preserving corer and its coring performance in deep coal mining conditions

With the increasing depth of coal mining,the requirements for coring devices that maintain pressure are increasing.To adapt to the special environment in deep coal seams and improve the accuracy of testing gas content,a low-disturbance pressure-preserving corer was developed.The measurement of gas content using this corer was analyzed.The coring test platform was used to complete a coring function test.A pressurized core with a diameter of 50 mm was obtained.The pressure was 0.15 MPa,which was equal to the pressure of the liquid column of the cored layer,indicating that the corer can be successfully used in a mud environment.Next,a pressure test of the corer was conducted.The results showed that under conditions of low pressure(8 MPa)and high pressure(25 MPa),the internal pressure of the corer remained stable for more than 1 h,indicating that the corer has good ability to maintain pressure.Therefore,the corer can be applied at deep coal mine sites.The results of this research can be used to promote the safe exploitation of deep coal mines and the exploitation of methane resources in coalbeds.

Human Verification over Activity Analysis via Deep Data Mining

Human verification and activity analysis(HVAA)are primarily employed to observe,track,and monitor human motion patterns using redgreen-blue(RGB)images and videos.Interpreting human interaction using RGB images is one of the most complex machine learning tasks in recent times.Numerous models rely on various parameters,such as the detection rate,position,and direction of human body components in RGB images.This paper presents robust human activity analysis for event recognition via the extraction of contextual intelligence-based features.To use human interaction image sequences as input data,we first perform a few denoising steps.Then,human-to-human analyses are employed to deliver more precise results.This phase follows feature engineering techniques,including diverse feature selection.Next,we used the graph mining method for feature optimization and AdaBoost for classification.We tested our proposed HVAA model on two benchmark datasets.The testing of the proposed HVAA system exhibited a mean accuracy of 92.15%for the Sport Videos in theWild(SVW)dataset.The second benchmark dataset,UT-interaction,had a mean accuracy of 92.83%.Therefore,these results demonstrated a better recognition rate and outperformed other novel techniques in body part tracking and event detection.The proposed HVAA system can be utilized in numerous real-world applications including,healthcare,surveillance,task monitoring,atomic actions,gesture and posture analysis.

Estimating shear strength of high-level pillars supported with cemented backfilling using the HoekeBrown strength criterion

Deep metal mines are often mined using the high-level pillars with subsequent cementation backfilling(HLSCB)mining method.At the design stage,it is therefore important to have a reasonable method for determining the shear strength of the high-level pillars(i.e.cohesion and internal friction angle)when they are supported by cemented backfilling.In this study,a formula was derived for the upper limit of the confining pressure σ3max on a high-level pillar supported by cemented backfilling in a deep metal mine.A new method of estimating the shear strength of such pillars was then proposed based on the Hoek eBrown failure criterion.Our analysis indicates that the horizontal stress σhh acting on the cemented backfill pillar can be simplified by expressing it as a constant value.A reasonable and effective value for σ3max can then be determined.The value of s3max predicted using the proposed method is generally less than 3 MPa.Within this range,the shear strength of the high-level pillar is accurately calculated using the equivalent MohreCoulomb theory.The proposed method can effectively avoid the calculation of inaccurate shear strength values for the high-level pillars when the original HoekeBrown criterion is used in the presence of large confining pressures,i.e.the situation in which the cohesion value is too large and the friction angle is too small can effectively be avoided.The proposed method is applied to a deep metal mine in China that is being excavated using the HLSCB method.The shear strength parameters of the high-level pillars obtained using the proposed method were input in the numerical simulations.The numerical results show that the recommended level heights and sizes of the high-level pillars and rooms in the mine are rational.

Towards Optimizing a Personal Cooling Garment for Hot and Humid Deep Mining Conditions

Workers exposed to hot and humid conditions suffer from heat stress that affects their concentration and can potentially lead to an increase in workplace accidents. To minimize heat stress, protective equipment may be worn, such as personal cooling garments. This paper presents and discusses the performances, advantages and disadvantages of existing personal cooling garments, namely air-cooled, liquid-cooled, phase change, hybrid, gas expansion and vacuum desiccant cooling garments, and a thermoelectric cooling technology. The main objective is to identify the cooling technique that would be most suitable for deep mining workers. It appears that no cooling technology currently on the market is perfectly compatible with this type of mining environment. However, combining two or more cooling technologies into a single hybrid system could be the solution to an optimized cooling garment for deep mines.

Heterogeneous information phase space reconstruction and stability prediction of filling body–surrounding rock combination

Traditional research believes that the filling body can effectively control stress concentration while ignoring the problems of unknown stability and the complex and changeable stress distribution of the filling body–surrounding rock combination under high-stress conditions.Current monitoring data processing methods cannot fully consider the complexity of monitoring objects,the diversity of monitoring methods,and the dynamics of monitoring data.To solve this problem,this paper proposes a phase space reconstruction and stability prediction method to process heterogeneous information of backfill–surrounding rock combinations.The three-dimensional monitoring system of a large-area filling body–surrounding rock combination in Longshou Mine was constructed by using drilling stress,multipoint displacement meter,and inclinometer.Varied information,such as the stress and displacement of the filling body–surrounding rock combination,was continuously obtained.Combined with the average mutual information method and the false nearest neighbor point method,the phase space of the heterogeneous information of the filling body–surrounding rock combination was then constructed.In this paper,the distance between the phase point and its nearest point was used as the index evaluation distance to evaluate the stability of the filling body–surrounding rock combination.The evaluated distances(ED)revealed a high sensitivity to the stability of the filling body–surrounding rock combination.The new method was then applied to calculate the time series of historically ED for 12 measuring points located at Longshou Mine.The moments of mutation in these time series were at least 3 months ahead of the roadway return dates.In the ED prediction experiments,the autoregressive integrated moving average model showed a higher prediction accuracy than the deep learning models(long short-term memory and Transformer).Furthermore,the root-mean-square error distribution of the prediction results peaked at 0.26,thus outperforming the no-prediction method in 70%of the cases.

Numerical simulation research on response characteristics of surrounding rock for deep super-large section chamber under dynamic and static combined loading condition

The stability control of surrounding rock for large or super-large section chamber is a difficult technical problem in deep mining condition.Based on the in-site geological conditions of Longgu coal mine,this paper used the dynamic module of FLAC3D to study the response characteristics of deep super-large section chamber under dynamic and static combined loading condition.Results showed that under the static loading condition,the maximum vertical stress,deformation and failure range are large,where the stress concentration coefficient is 1.64.The maximum roof-to-floor and two-sides deformations are 54.6 mm and 53.1 mm,respectively.Then,under the dynamic and static combined loading condition:(1)The influence of dynamic load frequency on the two-sides is more obvious;(2)The dynamic load amplitude has the greatest influence on the stress concentration degree,and the plastic failure tends to develop to the deeper;(3)With the dynamic load source distance increase,the response of surrounding rock is gradually attenuated.On this basis,empirical equations for each dynamic load conditions were obtained by using regression analysis method,and all correlation coefficients are greater than 0.99.This research provided reference for the supporting design of deep super-large section chamber under same or similar conditions.

Gas seepage equation of deep mined coal seams and its application

In order to obtain a gas seepage law of deep mined coal seams, according to the properties of coalbed methane seepage in in-situ stress and geothermal temperature fields, the gas seepage equation of deep mined coal seams with the Klinkenberg effect was obtained by confirming the coatbed methane permeability in in-situ stress and geothermal temperature fields. Aimed at the condition in which the coal seams have or do not have an outcrop and outlet on the ground, the application of the gas seepage equation of deep mined coal seams in in-situ stress and geothermal temperature fields on the gas pressure calculation of deep mined coal seams was investigated. The comparison between calculated and measured results indicates that the calculation method of gas pressure, based on the gas seepage equation of deep mined coal seams in in-situ stress and geothermal temperature fields can accu- rately be identical with the measured values and theoretically perfect the calculation method of gas pressure of deep mined coal seams.

Comprehensive safety factor of roof in goaf underdeep high stress

The safety factor of roof under deep high stress is a quantitative index for evaluating roof stability.Based on the failure mode of surrounding rock of stope roof,the mechanics model of goaf roof is constructed,and the internal force of roof is deduced by the theory of hingeless arch.The calculation method of roof safety factor(K)under the environment of deep mining is proposed in view of compression failure and shear failure of roof.The calculation formulas of shear safety factor(K1),compression safety factor(K2)and comprehensive safety factor(K)of roof are given.The influence of stope span and roof thickness on roof stability is considered in this paper.The results show that when the roof thickness remains constant,the roof safety factor decreases with the increasing of the stope span;when the stope span remains constant,the roof safety factor increases with the increasing of the roof thickness.The deep mining example shows that when the stope span is 30 m and the roof thickness is 10 m,the roof comprehensive safety factor is 1.12,which indicates the roof is in a stable state.

Technology strategies to achieve carbon peak and carbon neutrality for China's metal mines

Greenhouse gas(GHG)emissions related to human activities have significantly caused climate change since the Industrial Revolution.China aims to achieve its carbon emission peak before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060.Accordingly,this paper reviews and discusses technical strategies to achieve the“dual carbon”targets in China’s metal mines.First,global carbon emissions and emission intensities from metal mining industries are analyzed.The metal mining status and carbon emissions in China are then examined.Furthermore,advanced technologies for carbon mitigation and carbon sequestration in metal mines are reviewed.Finally,a technical roadmap for achieving carbon neutrality in China’s metal mines is proposed.Findings show that some international mining giants have already achieved their carbon reduction targets and planned to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.Moreover,improving mining efficiency by developing advanced technologies and replacing fossil fuel with renewable energy are two key approaches in reducing GHG emissions.Green mines can significantly benefit from the carbon neutrality process for metal mines through the carbon absorption of reclamation vegetations.Geothermal energy extraction from operating and abandoned metal mines is a promising technology for providing clean energy and contributing to the carbon neutrality target of China’s metal mines.Carbon sequestration in mine backfills and tailings through mineral carbonation has the potential to permanently and safely store carbon dioxide,which can eventually make the metal mining industry carbon neutral or even carbon negative.

Application of a microseismic monitoring system in deep mining

A microseismic monitoring system was used in the Donggua Shan underground copper mine, and its application was introduced. The spacial distribution of the seismic event was monitored effectively during mining with this system. The distribution of the seismic intensity in different time periods and in the different mining districts was obtained via the clustering analysis of the monitored results, and the different intensity concentration districts of seismicity were compartmentalized. The various characteristics and waveforms of different vibrations in the underground mine were revealed with the help of the micro-seismic monitoring system. It was proved that the construction and application of the micro-seismic monitoring system in the mine not only realized the continuous monitoring of seismicity in the deep mine, but also settled an this system.

Theoretical design and dynamic simulation of new mining paths of tracked miner on deep seafloor

With comprehensive considerations of the operational safety and collection efficiency for the tracked miner collecting the seafloor poly-metallic nodules, two new improved mining paths for the miner on the deep seafloor were proposed. Compared to the conventional mining path, the design principles and superiorities of the two new paths are that the miner turning with relative long radius should avoid large sinkage and high slip, so as to ensure its operational safety, while the space between its straight-line trajectories before and after the turning is optimum, which is designed as the total width of the miner, and collect nodules as more as possible, so as to ensure its collection efficiency. To realize the new mining paths, theoretical designs and quantitative calculations were carried out to determine the exact positions for the speed controls of the miner during its whole operation process. With the new dynamic model of the miner, and through regulations of the speeds of the left and right tracks of the miner on the exact motion positions according to the theoretical calculations, the two new improved mining paths for the miner on the seafloor were successfully simulated, thus the turning radius of the miner in the simulation is about 21.8 m, while the distance between the straight-line trajectories before and after the turning is about 5.2 m. The dynamic simulation results preliminarily prove the feasibility of these two new mining paths, and further can provide important theoretical guidance and useful technical reference for the practical tracked miner operation and control on the seafloor.