Forecast of the mine workings destruction risks by the radiometric control method

Abstract

Abstract The stress-strain state of the rock mass affects the content of methane gas and radon aerosols in the atmosphere of mine workings. Therefore, combined control of methane gas and radon in mine workings allows us to monitor changes in the state of the rock massif and to take measures in proper time to reduce the risks of the roadway destruction. Forecasting of rock massif and mine roadway dangerous state is based on the determined features of methane gas emission together with radon decay products into the mine roadways radon decay products. Interdependence between the dynamics of changes in the concentration of methane gas and the normalized concentration of radon is established when range of the deviations from the average value is ± 20%. Abrupt spikes at the range above 40% are explained in prone-to-destruction zones of the rock massif. One of the indicators of the rock massif readiness for dynamic manifestations of rock pressure and the destruction of mine roadways can be a decrease in the concentration of radon decay products Po218 below 5%.