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Quantitative Criterion and Applications for Assessing the Impact of Coal Seam Mining on Overlying Strata

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Abstract

The stability of key strata is of utmost importance in ensuring safe and effective coal seam mining operations. To minimize disturbance impacts on these strata and ensure their stability, it is crucial to assess the degree of disturbance caused by mining activities. This study proposes the evaluation index “disturbance degree of key stratum (KSDD)” and establishes a quantitative KSDD criterion to measure the degree of disturbance on key strata. To facilitate the assessment process, an intelligent calculation system for KSDD is developed. The classification criteria are derived by combining the measured three-zone heights from multiple mines. The reliability and accuracy of the KSDD quantitative criterion are validated using field measurement data. Furthermore, the KSDD quantitative criterion is applied to the Meihuajing mining area No. 23, and the distribution characteristics of KSDD are analyzed. The findings of this study can serve as a valuable reference for reducing disturbance and enhancing the stability of key strata during subsequent mining operations. Overall, this work contributes to the field of ground control in coal seam mining by providing a comprehensive approach to assess and mitigate the disturbance caused by mining activities on key strata.

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Data Availability

Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Qianjiaying Mine and Meihuajing Mine for providing a research base for this work.

Funding

This research is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant number No. 52074293); the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province, China (grant number No. E2020402041); the National Key Research and Development Program of China (grant number No. 2022YFC3004603); and the Open Fund of State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining (grant No. SKLCRSM22KFA10).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Energy and Mining Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China

    Yang Li, Nan Wang, Yifei Song, Xinghai Lei, Tiezheng Li & Lingyun Zou

  2. Inner Mongolia Research Institute, China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, Inner Mongolia, 017004, China

    Yang Li

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  1. Yang Li
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  2. Nan Wang
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Contributions

Yang Li and Nan Wang wrote the main manuscript text; Yifei Song translated the main manuscript text; Xinghai Lei prepared Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6; Tiezheng Li prepared Figs. 8 and 13; and Lingyun Zou prepared Figs. 14 and 15. All authors reviewed the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nan Wang.

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Article Highlights.

1. A new evaluation factor, the disturbance degree of key stratum (KSDD), was proposed to describe the coal seam mining impact on overburden.

2. A classification criterion is proposed to categorize the mining impact on the overburden.

3. The study includes predictive analysis of the extent of coal seam mining impact on the overburden using real-world engineering examples.

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Li, Y., Wang, N., Song, Y. et al. Quantitative Criterion and Applications for Assessing the Impact of Coal Seam Mining on Overlying Strata. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration 41, 937–955 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-024-00953-z

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