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Mapping of decades-old underground coal mine workings using electrical resistivity tomography

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Abstract

In this paper, we discuss the necessity of mapping of characterisation of unapproachable underground mine workings by electrical resistivity tomography (ERT). Initially, numerical forward modelling is conducted for considering the possibilities of water fill and air fill void in old workings using Wenner–Schlumberger (WS), dipole–dipole (DD) and inversion of joint of both arrays (WS+DD). Considerable accuracy of cavities dimension, depth and extensions could be recovered from data inversion of joint of both arrays (WS+DD). In field, 2D ERT survey was conducted along three parallel profiles using said configurations over Jharia coalfield, India. Inversion of joint of both arrays was introduced during data analysis for propensities of better demarcation of underground mine workings characterisations under complex geological formations. Furthers, pseudo-3D model was also done by merging 2D ERT parallel profile data for improved visualisation of 3D resistivity distributions of surveyed area. High resistivity contrast in 2D ERT model and 3D volumetric iso-resistivity model provided comfortable guidance in the investigation of possible continuity of barrier between caved panels of XVIA seam. Moderately low resistivity indicated anticipation of XVII seam working filled with water and also validated through the existing mine plan. Thus, interpretation of 3D data eventually helped in convincing outcomes.

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Acknowledgement

The authors thank Director, CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Dhanbad, for permitting to publish the paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Dhanbad, 826 001, India

    A K Bharti, A Prakash, A Verma, J Oraon, D K Chaudhary, S Kumar & K K K Singh

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  1. A K Bharti
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  2. A Prakash
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  3. A Verma
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  4. J Oraon
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  5. D K Chaudhary
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  6. S Kumar
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  7. K K K Singh
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Contributions

Abhay Kumar Bharti: Contribution in data acquisition, processing and interpretation and preparation of paper; A Prakash: Contributed to data interpretation and analysis; A Verma: Contributed in field investigation; J Oraon: Contributed in field investigation; D K Chaudhary: Contributed in field investigation; S Kumar: Contributed in field investigation; and K K K Singh: Contributed in data interpretation and analysis.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A K Bharti.

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Communicated by Arkoprovo Biswas

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Bharti, A.K., Prakash, A., Verma, A. et al. Mapping of decades-old underground coal mine workings using electrical resistivity tomography. J Earth Syst Sci 131, 258 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-022-02008-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-022-02008-7

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