Characterization of Overburden Deformation and Subsidence Behavior in a Kilometer Deep Longwall Mine

Abstract

A thorough understanding of mining-induced overburden deformation characteristics and the associated stress redistributions are essential to effectively manage complex safety and environmental issues that arise from underground mining. This is particular for mining in deep environments. This paper presents a numerical modelling study on a kilometer-deep longwall coal mine where a thick sandstone aquifer is situated approximately 200 m above the working seam. The mine adopts a special mine layout with narrow and wide pillars between longwalls and areas to manage water inrush and coal burst risks. The modelling results show that overburden deformation stops at a certain height, above which the displacement profile over multiple longwall panels become nearly flat. Increasing panel width and extraction height lead to a greater extent of the fractured zone and a larger magnitude of surface subsidence. An extraction height of more than 7 m may breach the thick aquifer. Stress concentration on the wide pillar can undergo up to 5 times increase in the in-situ stress, posing high risks of coal burst. Adjusting mining parameters such as panel width and extraction height can facilitate an effective strategy to minimize water inrush and coal burst risks in such a mining condition.