Mining and geological conditions for the occurrence of sudden gas-dynamic phenomena in the coal mines of the Donets Basin

Abstract

Abstract Over a long period in the development of coal deposits in the Donets Basin, a technogenic multi-level system of workings has been created. The increase in the number and power of gas-dynamic phenomena in coal mines occurred in connection with the increase in the working depth and the expansion of coal workings towards the technical limit of the mine field. The characteristics of the hydrocarbon component in the gas mixture of coal fields are constantly changing, and their content increases significantly in tectonically disturbed zones of coal rock massifs. Qualitative and quantitative parameters of gas mixture indicators are controlled by the tectonic structure of coal rock massifs. While studying the mining and geological conditions in the coal mines of the Donets basin, it has been established that the main factors provoking sudden gas-dynamic phenomena include tectonic discontinuous faults (as well as small-amplitude faults or their zones), abnormally high bed pressures, stress state and gas content of the massif. The results of the conducted research will become the foundation for predicting mining and geological conditions favorable for gas-dynamic phenomena in coal workings, which will make it possible to develop a concept for preventing potential dynamic phenomena in mines.