A limit equilibrium fracture zone model to investigate seismicity in coal mines

This paper explores possible synergies between techniques used to minimise seismicity in deep South African gold mines and their applicability to control coal bumps. The paper gives a summary of the techniques used in the deep gold mines and a critical appraisal if these are useful in coal mines. The techniques typically include control of mining rate, preconditioning, optimisation of extraction sequences and centralised blasting. Of particular interest to the coal bump problem is an experimental limit equilibrium fracture zone model implemented in a displacement discontinuity code. This was recently developed for the gold mines to enable the interactive analysis of complex tabular mine layout extraction sequences. The model specifically accommodates energy dissipation computations in the developing fracture zone near the edges of these excavations. This allows the released energy to be used as a surrogate measure of ongoing seismic activity and addresses a number of the weaknesses in the traditional usage of this quantity as a criterion for the design of seismically active layouts. This paper investigates the application of the model to a hypothetical coal longwall layout and the specific problem of coal bumps.

Mining seismicity, gas outburst and the sig-nificance of their relationship in the study of physics of earthquake source

This paper presents an overview of mining seismicity, gas outburst and their origin. The internal relation of mining seismicity and gas outburst in the dynamic process is studied on the basis of the fact that these disasters sometimes occur simultaneously. The examples show a close relationship between mining seismicity and gas outburst in high gassy coal mines. It is proposed that strong mine shocks plus the response of low value and delay time are early warning signals. The mechanism of the relationship between mining seismicity and gas outburst is analyzed by using the location of mining shocks, focus mechanism, cause of mining shocks and conditions of gas outburst. The trigger action of gas fluid on mining shocks, especially the effect of the anomalous property of supercritical fluid on the preparation and occurrence of mining shocks is discussed. According to the similarity between mining-induced earthquakes and tectonic earthquakes in terms of mechanism, the significance of the above results in the study of physics of earthquake source is also discussed.

Numerical and Geophysical Tools Applied for the Prediction of Mine Induced Seismicity in French Coalmines

The determination of the influence of mining works and the induced seismicity is essentially obtained, separately from in-situ observations and seismic analysis, field measurements (particularly surface survey) as well as from numerical investigations. The paper presents a methodology applied for the analysis of induced seismicity due to underground coalmines based on combining numerical modelling and seismic analysis. The methodology is based on the comparing between the observations, the seismic activity and the numerical modelling for establishing a close correlation between the location of seismic activity and the induced stresses. The paper presents two case studies using seismic and geotechnical investigations, the first one concerns a fatal accident affected Lorraine coalmine (East France). The second case concerns the application of the methodology on Provence coalmines (South France). The application of the methodology shows such a coupling can be an efficient way for detecting areas subjected to rockburst hazard. This is also a powerful tool for assisting the planning of underground workings in complex geological and mining conditions. The coupling of geotechnical investigations (numerical modelling, in-situ stress measurements) and seismic analysis are strongly recommended.

Whole-mine subsidence over tabular deposits and related seismicity

The challenge of estimating mine-wide subsidence and linkages to seismicity over tabular deposits is addressed by a special finite element technique(dual node–dual mesh). Subsidence and mine-induced seismicity begins near the face when caving occurs and propagates to the surface as extraction reaches a critical extent. Thus, the challenge is to obtain details at the face at the meter scale and also at the surface over the whole mine at the kilometer scale. Interactions between old and new sections of a mine are automatically taken into account with this technique. The finite element method is well established technology based on fundamentals of physical laws, kinematics and material laws. With this technique, no empirical ‘‘scaling" or fitting computer output by input data ‘‘adjustment" to mine measurements is necessary. Capability is demonstrated for doing practical whole-mine subsidence analysis from first principles. Mine-induced seismicity is shown to correlate well with face advance and element failure.

Classification of clustered microseismic events in a coal mine using machine learning

Discrimination of seismicity distributed in different areas is essential for reliable seismic risk assessment in mines.Although machine learning has been widely applied in seismic data processing,feasibility and reliability of applying this technique to classify spatially clustered seismic events in underground mines are yet to be investigated.In this research,two groups of seismic events with a minimum local magnitude(ML) of-3 were observed in an underground coal mine.They were respectively located around a dyke and the longwall face.Additionally,two types of undesired signals were also recorded.Four machine learning methods,i.e.random forest(RF),support vector machine(SVM),deep convolutional neural network(DCNN),and residual neural network(ResNN),were used for classifying these signals.The results obtained based on a primary dataset showed that these seismic events could be classified with at least 91% accuracy.The DCNN using seismogram images as the inputs reached the best performance with more than 94% accuracy.As mining is a dynamic progress which could change the characteristics of seismic signals,the temporal variance in the prediction performance of DCNN was also investigated to assess the reliability of this classifier during mining.A cascaded workflow consisting of database update,model training,signal prediction,and results review was established.By progressively calibrating the DCNN model,it achieved up to 99% prediction accuracy.The results demonstrated that machine learning is a reliable tool for the automatic discrimination of spatially clustered seismicity in underground mining.

The effect of mining face＇s direction on the observed seismic activity

A major natural hazard associated with LGOM （Legnica-Glogow Copper Mining） mining is the dynamic phenomena occurrence, physically observed as seismic tremors. Some of them generate effects in the form of relaxations or bumps. Long-term observations of the rock mass behaviour indicate that the degree of seismic hazard, and therefore also seismic activity in the LGOM area, is affected by the great depth of the copper deposit, high-strength rocks as well as the ability of rock mass to accumulate elastic energy. In this aspect, the effect of the characteristics of initial stress tensor and the orientation of considered mining panel in regards to its components must be emphasised. The primary objective of this study is to answer the question, which of the factors considered as ＂influencing＂ the dynamic phenomena occurrence in copper mines have a statistically significant effect on seismic activity and to what extent. Using the general linear model procedure, an attempt has been made to quantify the impact of different parameters, including the depth of deposit, the presence of goaf in the vicinity of operating mining panels and the direction of mining face advance, on seismic activity based on historical data from 2000 to 2010 concerned with the dynamic phenomena recorded in different mining panels in Rudna mine. The direction of mining face advance as well as the goaf situation in the vicinity of the mining panel are of the greatest interest in the case of the seismic activity in LGOM. It can be assumed that the appropriate manipulation of parameters of mining systems should ensure the safest variant of mining method under specific geological and mining conditions.

Passive seismic velocity tomography on longwall mining panel based on simultaneous iterative reconstructive technique (SIRT)

Mining operation, especially underground coal mining, always has the remarkable risks of ground control. Passive seismic velocity tomography based on simultaneous iterative reconstructive technique （SIRT） inversion is used to deduce the stress redistribution around the longwall mining panel. The mining-induced microseismic events were recorded by mounting an array of receivers on the surface, above the active panel. After processing and filtering the seismic data, the three-dimensional tomography images of the p-wave velocity variations by SIRT passive seismic velocity tomography were provided. To display the velocity changes on coal seam level and subsequently to infer the stress redistribution, these three-dimensional tomograms into the coal seam level were sliced. In addition, the boundary element method （BEM） was used to simulate the stress redistribution. The results show that the inferred stresses from the passive seismic tomograms are conformed to numerical models and theoretical concept of the stress redistribution around the longwall panel. In velocity tomograms, the main zones of the stress redistribution arotmd the panel, including front and side abutment pressures, and gob stress are obvious and also the movement of stress zones along the face advancement is evident. Moreover, the effect of the advance rate of the face on the stress redistribution is demonstrated in tomography images. The research result proves that the SIRT passive seismic velocity tomography has an ultimate potential for monitoring the changes of stress redistribution around the longwall mining panel continuously and subsequently to improve safety of mining operations.

Monitoring of coal-mine goaf based on 4D seismic technology

The range of coal-mine underground goaf has continuously expanded over time.Caving,fracture,and deformation zones have also changed,thereby inducing coal-mine water inrush and other environmental disasters.In this study,4 D seismic monitoring technology that is effective in reservoir development was used to monitor abnormal changes in coal-mine underground goaf to explore the feasibility of the method.Taking a coal mine in Hancheng,Shaanxi as an example,we used the aforementioned technology to dynamically monitor the abnormal changes in the goaf.Based on the 4 D seismic data obtained in the experiment and the abnormal change characteristics of the coal-mine goaf,the method of 4 D seismic data processing in reservoir was improved.A set of 4 D data processing flow for the goaf was established,and the anomalies in the surface elevation and overlying strata velocity caused by collapse were corrected.We have made the following improvements to the method of 4 D seismic data processing in the reservoir:(1)the static correction problem caused by the changes of surface elevation and destruction of the low-velocity layer has been solved through fusion static correction to comb the low-frequency components of elevation statics with the high-frequency components of refraction statics;(2)the problem of overlying strata velocity changes in the goaf caused by collapse has been solved through the velocity consistency method;(3)the problem of reflection event pull-down in the disturbance area has been solved through space-varying moveout correction based on cross-correlation;and(4)amplitude anomalies in the coal seam caused by the goaf have been addressed using the correction method of space-varying amplitude.Results show that the 4 D seismic data processing and interpretation method established in this study is reasonable and effective.

The influence of mining factors on seismic activity during longwall mining of a coal seam

In this article an attempt to determine the influence of mining factors on the seismic activity during the longwall mining of the upper layer of coal seam no.405/2 in one of the Polish hard coal mines in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin was conducted.Two longwall panels were mined in analogous geological conditions and based on the same mining system and technology.However,there was significant difference with regards to the mining factors,which was reflected in the observed seismic activity.Some tools used in mining seismology were applied to illustrate the aforementioned influence of mining factors,e.g.the frequency-energy distribution,the frequency-magnitude distribution,the 2 D distribution of released seismic energy,the relationship between released seismic energy and the volume of mined coal,the Benioff strain release,and the Gutenberg-Richter(GR)b coefficient distribution(b is the proportion between high and low energy tremors).Concerning the Benioff strain release,a new solution,based on the slope of a fitted line in a moving time window,is proposed.

Applying real time seismic monitoring technology for slope stability assessment—An Indian opencast coal mine perspective

This paper outlines the results obtained from real time microseismic monitoring of an opencast coal mine in South India.The objective of the study is to investigate the stress changes within the rockmass along the slope due to underground mine development operation and their impact on the stability of the highwall slope.The installed microseismic systems recorded the seismic triggerings down toà2 moment magnitude.In general,most of the events recorded during the monitoring period are weak in seismic energy.The study adopts a simple and more reliable tool to characterize the seismically active zone for assessing the stability of the highwall in real time.The impact of underground working on the slope is studied on the basis of the seismic event impact contours and seismic clusters.During the monitoring period,it is observed that the intensity of the overall microseismic activity along the slope due to the mine development operations did not cause any adverse impact on the highwall stability.

Application Results of 3-D Seismic Exploration Technology in Coal Mines

This paper briefly introduces the development and present situation of China's coal seismic exploration. It focuses on analyzing the important functions of 3-D seismic exploration technology in the designing and production of coal mines, and also the results of its application.

HSP超前探测技术在煤矿TBM掘进巷道中的应用研究

随着全断面掘进机TBM(Tunnel Boring Machine)逐渐应用于煤矿岩巷掘进,对不良地质构造进行超前准确快速预测的需求日益迫切。通过对主动源地震波超前探测方法的特点和TBM破岩震源超前探测技术的适用性进行分析,结合煤矿巷道地质和生产条件,提出了适用于煤矿巷道TBM掘进的HSP超前探测方法。以河南平顶山首山一矿TBM掘进底板瓦斯治理巷道为工程背景,选用防爆硬件一体化设计的探测仪器在煤矿巷道中进行应用。构建了空间型观测方式对煤矿巷道近水平煤线进行探测,优化了双护盾TBM掘进巷道狭小空间检波器阵列式布置参数;基于时频分析、互相关干涉处理、反射与散射联合反演等方法处理原始信号并进行探测结果成像。研究表明:采用空间型观测方式可实现与巷道小角度斜交煤线的识别,设计震源与首检波器间距离为15 m时最优。通过时频分析提取有效信号,利用互相关干涉法获取虚拟震源道和反射特征曲线,并结合反射与散射联合反演成像得到探测区域地层反射能量分布图,能够较准确地推测得到围岩存在的不良地质构造。通过比较现场开挖揭露情况与探测结果发现两者吻合度较高,表明HSP超前探测方法可实现掘进工作面前方100 m范围内超前无损地质预测,有助于提高煤矿岩巷TBM掘进速度。

3D HIGH RESOLUTION SEISMIC PROSPECTING IN COAL MINING AREAS

The production capacity and efficiency for mechanized coal faces of large-scale mines depend on the detecting degree of mining structures. It is a major task for geological exploration in coal fields to detect minor structures in district. 3D high resolution seismic prospecting is a effective measure for solving this problem.

王家岭煤矿综放工作面上覆岩层运动规律及卸压区瓦斯抽采试验研究

为实现低瓦斯高涌出矿井综放工作面安全高效开采,以王家岭煤矿为背景,结合物理相似模拟实验、UDEC数值模拟和微震监测,系统分析了王家岭煤矿综放工作面上覆岩层运动规律,在此基础上,开展了现场卸压区瓦斯抽采试验。研究结果表明:随工作面推进,煤层顶板上覆岩层垮落高度距煤层底板距离增大,离层裂隙距顶板距离增大,空洞高度减小;采空区两侧瓦斯运移通道的裂隙多于压实区的裂隙。初次来压前,采空区垂直应力随工作面的推进而降低;初次来压后,采空区垂直应力随工作面的推进而增大。在进、回风巷顶板,煤层、采空区顶底板共发生2 572个微震事件,工作面前方50 m范围内应力集中较大,应注意超前支护防范。12301工作面周期来压步距20~26 m,采动裂缝带高度90~110 m,周期来压4~6次。现场卸压区瓦斯抽采试验中,合理层位工作面瓦斯抽采量是其他层位工作面瓦斯抽采量的1.5倍,且工作面上隅角和回风流瓦斯浓度均小于0.8%,瓦斯治理效果显著。

三维地震动态解释在淮北构造复杂煤矿生产中的应用

三维地震勘探技术在煤矿安全高效矿井地质保障系统中发挥着重要的作用,淮北矿区构造复杂,断层密度大,断层已成为严重制约淮北矿区采区接替和增储保供的主要因素。本文将三维地震动态解释应用于淮北构造复杂煤矿的生产中,在煤矿工作面设计、巷道掘进和工作面贯通等多个生产阶段开展地震动态解释,针对大巷掘进过程中地质保障的实际需求开展了地震动态解释工作。应用实践表明,煤矿工作面生产过程中的地震动态解释工作将分析对象限定为一个工作面、一条巷道甚至一条断层,研究对象更聚焦,更精准,且时效性强,能够为煤矿工作面生产过程提供较为准确的指导,助力煤矿安全高效开采。

煤炭三维地震精准探测关键技术

经过近10年的发展,煤炭三维地震勘探的精度和能力大幅度提升。从三维地震资料采集、处理、解释、动态服务4个环节,重点阐述煤炭三维地震在煤矿地层格架、地质异常体、岩性分布、流体分布精准探测方面的关键技术,以大幅度提高三维地震勘探服务煤矿安全生产的地质保障能力。资料采集方面,全数字高密度三维地震勘探通过缩小CDP面元、采用全数字检波器接收地震波,提高了煤层反射波的信噪比及识别小构造分辨率;资料处理方面,井巷约束动态高精度叠前深度偏移成像处理、基于高密度宽方位的OVT五维处理、叠前Q补偿保真提频处理,较大程度提高了地震资料的成像精度;资料解释方面,通过时间剖面、水平切片、面块切片、地震多属性分析、多信息反演等开展全三维解释,拓展了三维地震应用范围;服务方面,远程专家动态服务这种全新的地质保障服务模式,方便煤矿地质人员与物探人员实时沟通,通过分阶段、分级次的动态服务,使地震地质成果精度满足不同生产阶段需求。

基于VMD和GA-SVM的矿井地震自适应噪声压制方法

煤矿井下地震信号往往呈现出复杂的波场特性且伴随着大量噪音干扰,导致地震信号的初至拾取精度降低,从而影响地震数据的反演与解释。针对复杂干扰环境下采集的低信噪比地震信号,提出了基于变分模态分解(VMD)和遗传算法优化支持向量机(GA-SVM)的地震噪声压制与初至提取方法,以提高煤矿井下复杂噪声条件下的地震信号质量。采用变分模态分解对含噪地震信号进行自适应分解,得到数个的变分模态分量(IMF);对VMD分解得到的IMF分量进行特征提取,将提取所得的信号特征作为信号有效性判别的依据;利用遗传算法对支持向量机模型进行优化,得到最优的惩罚因子c与核函数参数g;利用优化后的支持向量机模型对IMF分量进行有效性判别并将有效分量重构成高信噪比信号;通过对人工加噪的地震信号应用噪声压制算法,煤矿井下常见的不同类型噪声被有效地压制,验证了算法的可行性;对矿井巷道实采的地震记录进行噪声压制处理,有效地压制了数据中的干扰噪声,极大程度地提高了地震记录的信噪比,使初至拾取得更加准确。结果表明,基于VMD和GA-SVM的地震噪声压制方法可以很好地提取含噪地震记录中的有效信号,提高初至拾取精度,在矿井复杂干扰条件下具有显著的应用潜力,对解决矿井复杂干扰条件下的地震勘探问题有重要意义。

基于微震监测技术的煤矿底板突水预警研究

煤矿底板突水是矿山生产中的主要灾害之一,其破坏性极大,因此,研究有效的突水预警技术具有重要意义。以董家河煤矿22517工作面为例,构建了微震监测系统,并对底板进行突水预警。监测数据显示,该煤矿的底板微震事件总共有191个,其中能量超过1000 J的微震事件仅为18个,占全部微震事件的9.63%,同时,该系统检测到的底板破坏深度约为11.01 m,与底板钻孔声波仪测试计算的数据仅相差0.22 m。这些数据可以说明研究所提出的微震监测技术能够有效预测煤矿底板的突水事故,起到了良好的预警作用,为煤矿开采作业的水害风险防范提供了可靠的技术支持。

某钨矿露地联采关键地压灾害监测预警研究

某钨矿形成了露地联采的开采局面,面临着井下群采空区与隔离间柱稳定性、露采边坡稳定性、露地相互影响等关键地压灾害问题。设计建设了最先进的66通道微震监测系统、测量机器人与边坡雷达等地压监测预警系统。文章详细介绍了一次典型的岩体失稳垮塌的成功预警案例。上述综合性的地压监测手段将为矿山安全生产提供重要的技术支撑。