Main geological and mining factors affecting ground cracks induced by underground coal mining in Shanxi Province, China

As one of the largest coal-rich provinces in China,Shanxi has extensive underground coal-mining operations.These operations have caused numerous ground cracks and substantial environmental damage.To study the main geological and mining factors influencing mining-related ground cracks in Shanxi,a detailed investigation was conducted on 13 mining-induced surface cracks in Shanxi.Based on the results,the degrees of damage at the study sites were empirically classified into serious,moderate,and minor,and the influential geological and mining factors(e.g.,proportions of loess and sandstone in the mining depth,ratio of rock thickness to mining thickness,and ground slope)were discussed.According to the analysis results,three factors(proportion of loess,ratio of rock thickness to mining thickness,and ground slope)play a decisive role in ground cracks and can be respectively considered as the critical material,mechanical,and geometric conditions for the occurrence of mining surface disasters.Together,these three factors have a strong influence on the occurrence of serious discontinuous ground deformation.The results can be applied to help prevent and control ground damage caused by coal mining.The findings also provide a direct reference for predicting and eliminating hidden ground hazards in mining areas.

Characteristics of ground cracks caused by the M_(S) 6.4 Yangbi earthquake and the corresponding tectonic significance

An M_(S)6.4 earthquake occurred near Yangbi County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, at 21:48on May 21, 2021. The earthquake location is characterized by complex geological structures, with multiple active faults distributed around the epicenter that is located at the west edge of the Sichuan-Yunnan rhombic block(25.67°N, 99.87°E). A total of 42 ground cracks are found by earthquake field investigations. The cracks are mainly concentrated in the Ⅷ degree area on the west side of the Yangbi River. Among these, 9 coseismic tectonic ground cracks generated by shear fractures are found in three villages(i.e., Akechang, Meijia-Lijia, and Huajiazhuang), which are distributed along the strike of the northwest-trending linear folds, showing the tectonic characteristics of right-lateral tension or left-stepping cracks. The structural attribute of ground cracks sustains the kinematic properties of the Weixi-Qiaohou fault, namely right-lateral strike-slip.

Analysis of factors and countermeasures of mining subsidence in Kaiyang Phosphorus Mine

Ground crack and subsidence were investigated in Kaiyang Phosphorus Mine as an example. Contribution factors to cause ground crack and mining subsidence were studied, including mining method, mining depth and ore thickness and stope size, dip angle of orebody, geological structure, nature of overburden and water contents, and roof supports, etc. Countermeasures against cracks and subsidence were put forward. The uniaxial compressive strength of compounded phosphorus gypsum after 28 d of curing period was tested to be more than 1 MPa. Phosphorus gypsum can be used as materials for the backfill of stope. By comparison and numerical simulation, cut and fill mining method with middle-deep drilling holes and ore transportation by blasting force was selected as the optimum mining method in Kaiyang Phosphorus Mine.

Investigation and characterization of mining subsidence in Kaiyang Phosphorus Mine

In Kaiyang Phosphorus Mine, serious environmental and safety problems are caused by large scale mining activities in the past 40 years. These problems include mining subsidence, low recovery ratio, too much dead ore in pillars, and pollution of phosphorus gypsum. Mining subsidence falls into four categories: curved ground and mesa, ground cracks and collapse hole, spalling and eboulement, slope slide and creeping. Measures to treat the mining subsidence were put forward: finding out and managing abandoned stopes, optimizing mining method (cut and fill mining method), selecting proper backfilling materials (phosphogypsum mixtures), avoiding disorder mining operation, and treating highway slopes. These investigations and engineering treatment methods are believed to be able to contribute to the safety extraction of ore and sustainable development in Kaiyang Phosphorus Mine.