Applied sciences

Archives of Mining Sciences

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Archives of Mining Sciences | 2024 | vol. 69 | No 4

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Abstract

A series of intense seismic activities were unusually reported during the initial stage of room and pillar mining operations at the “Polkowice-Sieroszowice” copper ore mine, in Poland. In fact, high-energy tremors with energy of up to 107 J were observed in many mining fields from the beginning of the mining operation to the moment before reaching the critical space of the caved zone (goaf). Some of these tremors caused floor heave, sidewall squeezing, and spalling of the roof and sidewalls in the workings, leading to the stoppage of mining operations. This paper aims to identify the possible causes of these unexpected tremors. For this purpose, the geo-mining conditions and seismic activity data from the studied mining fields were reviewed and analysed. Additionally, a numerical analysis of rock mass behaviour was conducted, considering various geomechanical factors to better understand the mechanisms of seismic activity in these fields. All numerical calculations were performed using the finite difference method (FDM) code, FLAC3D. Based on the findings, the major causes of the high-energy tremors were determined as high primary stress, high-strength roof rocks, and the presence of a thick salt layer in the roof rocks. Consequently, practical recommendations for future mining operations were suggested to mitigate the impact of intense seismic activity. This research is expected to provide a valuable reference for copper mines prone to tremors and rockbursts, not only in Poland but worldwide.
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Authors and Affiliations

Phu Minh Vuong Nguyen
1
ORCID: ORCID
Piotr Litwa
1
ORCID: ORCID
Janusz Makówka
1
ORCID: ORCID
Krzysztof Szczerbiński
2
Van Viet Phan
3

  1. Central Mining Institute – National Research Institute, Katowice, Poland
  2. Polkowice-Sieroszowice Copper Mine, KGHM Polska Miedz S.A., Kaźmierzów, Poland
  3. VINACOMIN – Institute of Mining Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
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Abstract

Vietnam is currently unable to generate nuclear power, and coal still accounts for 32 percent of national energy production. Therefore, mining coal plays a crucial role in the national economy. On the other hand, all open pit coal mines in Quang Ninh will be closed to give the land back to the other industrial section, so the underground mines will be responsible for supporting the entire amount of coal, which is extremely difficult. Therefore, it must mechanise mining to increase output. The research of applicability has been implemented for a long time. Now, Vietnamese workers can operate domestic equipment. However, most mining plans are established from experience and imposed, so this hardly shows the construction reality in the underground mines. Indicators must be manually adjusted to match the previously established documents. This not only causes administrative risks but also wastes time and human resources in handling paperwork, leading to reduced labour productivity indirectly. The key to a mining plan is time, therefore the article analyses the influence of uncertain mining conditions on the construction time. As a result, different working time parameters are determined suitably for different conditions, space, and construction time. The difference between actual construction time and ideal construction time is also made out. The mentioned results are a scientific basis for mine operators to adjust production plans appropriately to the characteristics of underground mines.
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Authors and Affiliations

Phi Hung Nguyen
ORCID: ORCID
Thi Kim Thanh Nguyen
ORCID: ORCID
Duc Hung Pham
ORCID: ORCID
Quang Phuc Le
ORCID: ORCID
Thai Tien Dung Vu
ORCID: ORCID
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Abstract

Atmospheric methane emissions from the energy sector, particularly coal mines, are a component of total global methane emissions. Its presence causes climate changes that contribute to global warming. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas (GHG) with a global warming potential (GWP) approximately 30 times greater than that of carbon dioxide over a 100-year period. The estimation of methane emissions from both underground hard coal mines and open-pit lignite mines is performed based on guidelines that follow the methods recommended in the core publications of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The methane emission rate determination method developed by scientific institutions is allowed. This article focuses on the analysis and formulation of guidelines for determining the potential methane emissions from open-pit lignite mines, which are determined based on the emission factor and coal production. Coalbed methane content was tested using two methods to determine the methane emission factor. Results of sorption tests were also presented. The results obtained can be used for the development of new solutions or the improvement of current solutions for the determination of the methane emission rate in open-pit lignite mines.
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Authors and Affiliations

Marcin Karbownik
1
ORCID: ORCID
Henryk Koptoń
1
ORCID: ORCID
Robert Hildebrandt
1
ORCID: ORCID

  1. Central Mining Institute – National Research Institute, Pl. Gwarków 1, 40-160 Katowice
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Abstract

Conducting mining operations in fault zones is a very challenging task, both from a technological perspective and also due to the safety of the miners. Therefore, it is essential to determine the impact of mining parameters on the possibility of fault activation, which in many cases leads to high seismic activity. The article presents the results of numerical analyses of the impact of longwall mining in the vicinity of tectonic faults on the state of stress in the rock masses. The authors demonstrated the influence of the advancement of the longwall face and its direction on the risk of rock burst, both for mining conducted in the footwall and hanging wall.
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Authors and Affiliations

Antoni Tajduś
1
ORCID: ORCID
Jerzy Flisiak
1
Krzysztof Tajduś
2
ORCID: ORCID

  1. AGH University of Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
  2. Strata Mechanics Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, 27 Reymonta Str., 30-059, Kraków, Poland
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Abstract

In response to the “three highs” problem in the mining of deep high-gas mines, the rapid increase in the coal seam permeability coefficient and gradual increase in coal and gas outburst problems have made gas control more difficult. This study considered the occurrence of remote outburst coal seams in the Zhujixi Mine as the research background and performed theoretical analysis, calculations, numerical simulations, and other technical methods to analyze the gas occurrence characteristics of the 11-2 coal seam and the feasibility of using this seam as a lower protective layer for mining. The pressure relief protection range for the overlying 13-1 coal seam, to the recovery of the 11-2 coal seam, was determined. A regional anti-outburst technology was proposed for underground through-layer and parallel-layer drilling, focusing on pre-gas extraction for the protective layer. In addition, a pre-gas extraction regional anti-outburst technology combining the surface and underground mining of the protected layer is also proposed. Gas occurrence in the 11-2 coal seam is uneven and has poor regularity, presenting high gas areas. It is significantly affected by the geological structures and shale properties of the coal seam roof and floor. The 11-2 coal seam is a stress-dominated and gas-outburst coal seam. The Zhujixi Mine presents a joint underground extraction and regional outburst prevention mode; that is, the 11-2 coal seam with a lower outburst risk is selected as the protective layer for mining first, whereas the 13-1 coal seam is protected while the gas in the protected layer is extracted. The 11-2 coal is characterized by the gas control mode of “one side, three lanes+ground drillings” to achieve multi-purpose, joint treatment, and continuous mining of one lane. The excavation face exhibits comprehensive anti-outburst measures, such as through-layer drilling pre-extraction and a coal mining face over the layer drilling pre-extraction area. During the mining period, surface drilling and a top extraction roadway are used to extract 13-1 coal-depressurized gas. By adopting joint extraction technology in the upper and lower mining areas, the residual gas content and pressure were measured at the underground excavation and mining working face. The predicted indicators did not exceed the standard levels, and no dynamic phenomena occurred. As a result of the application of the anti-outburst technology in the joint extraction area of the Zhujixi Mine, the proportion of extraction in the upper and lower mining areas was 56.7%, and the proportion of extraction in the underground mining area was 43.3%. These factors are interdependent and indispensable. The maximum height of the caving zone after mining the 11-2 coal face was 11.6 m, whereas the height of the fracture zone was 34.4-52.2 m. The 13-1 protective-layer working face is arranged on the upper part of the fracture zone or lower part of the curved subsidence zone, which can effectively increase the permeability of the 13-1 coal seam. Engineering practice has shown that the joint regional anti-outburst technology and engineering application in Zhujixi mine have achieved good results, forming a regional anti-outburst technology system for joint extraction of mines and providing a reference for the safety production of similar conditions in outburst mines.
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Authors and Affiliations

Dongdong Pang
1 2
ORCID: ORCID
Xi Wang
1
ORCID: ORCID
Zhiqiang Yin
1
ORCID: ORCID
Xingang Niu
1
ORCID: ORCID
Peng Yang
1
ORCID: ORCID
Zongyu Ni
1
ORCID: ORCID

  1. Anhui University of Science and Technology, School of Mining Engineering, Huainan, Anhui 232001, China
  2. he Coal Mine Safety Mining Equipment Innovat ion Center of Anhui Province, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, Anhui 232001, China
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Abstract

In the extremely close distance of lower coal seam mining, affected by secondary mining, the fractures expand through the layer in the composite roof, and this process is complex and diverse. In this paper, a three-point bending load test of different strength rocks and their combinations is conducted by combining acoustic emission. The results indicate that the overall deflection angle in the lower roof is approximately 8° smaller than that in the upper roof. When the fracture extends from the brittle roof to the plastic roof, the deflection angle in both types of roofs increases. When the plastic roof extends to the brittle roof, the deflection angle of the brittle roof increases while that of the plastic roof decreases. The damage degree of the composite rock mass during the failure process lies between the two single rock masses that make up the composite rock mass. The damage is dense at the initial expansion moment of the fracture in the rock mass, but weak when the interface expands through the layer. The energy evolution of the composite roof mainly depends on the high-strength roof, and the horizontal migration process of the fracture at the interface does not release energy.
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Authors and Affiliations

Guozhen Zhao
1 2
ORCID: ORCID
Fengyi Chang
1
ORCID: ORCID
Shuai Wang
1
ORCID: ORCID

  1. Taiyuan University of Technology, College of Mining Engineering, 030024, Taiyuan, China
  2. Taiyuan University of Technology, Key Laborat ory of in-Situ Property-Improving Mining of Ministry of Education, 030024, Taiyuan, China
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Abstract

This article discusses the challenges of coal mine safety, particularly methane hazards, in the context of decreasing workforce and the need for more autonomous solutions. As hard coal production faces a phase-out due to international energy policies, the mining industry struggles with retaining skilled workers. The Sectional Methane Hazard Detection System (SDZM) is proposed as an autonomous solution to detect methane hazards by measuring methane concentrations along underground workings. The system operates using a series of algorithms that analyze the concentration data and identify hazard zones without the need for highly qualified personnel. The SDZM method involves collecting methane concentration data from different sections of the mining operation and comparing them to reference profiles to assess potential hazards. A study conducted in the 841A longwall area of KWK B mine used simulations to assess methane distribution, which was then used to test the SDZM system’s algorithms. The results show that the system can accurately detect high methane hazard levels, with sensitivity varying depending on the parameters set, such as the tolerance field for methane concentration changes. The study concluded that the SDZM system is effective in detecting methane hazards, requiring minimal additional skills from workers. The system’s performance can be enhanced by adjusting parameters like the methane concentration tolerance field, though excessively narrow tolerances could lead to false positives. Overall, the SDZM provides a valuable tool for enhancing safety in mines by autonomously identifying high-risk areas related to methane emissions.
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Authors and Affiliations

Wacław Dziurzyński
1
ORCID: ORCID
Piotr Ostrogórski
1
ORCID: ORCID
Przemysław Skotniczny
1
ORCID: ORCID

  1. Strata Mechanics Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, 27 Reymonta Str., 30-059, Kraków, Poland
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Abstract

The mechanics of a flysch rock mass is determined by its complex discontinuity, heterogeneity, anisotropy, and diverse deformation modes. This study proposes a new methodology to simulate the deformation of Carpathian flysch in the vicinity of tunnels, employing the distinct element method (DEM), global-local modelling approach and a hybrid representation of discontinuities. The methodology enables the simulation of a wide range of structural models and properties of Carpathian flysch and reduces the computational complexity of numerical models. A global model reflects the initial stress field. Local models detail the properties of joint sets separating rock blocks and the properties of the ubiquitous joint model material inside the discrete blocks. Both direct and indirect representations of discontinuities contribute to the model response. The numerical model is addressed as a multiparameter system and examined through statistical design of experiments (DOE). The model is calibrated and validated using field measurements of displacements and convergences. The factors contributing to uncertainty in the simulation results are considered. A parametric analysis was conducted on the deformation of flysch rock mass surrounding a tunnel, evaluating the impact of bedding orientation, depth, and support stiffness. Bedding dip direction explained the asymmetry in sidewall convergence and its changes. Discontinuity stiffness and dilation, rarely studied model parameters, were found to have a significant effect on simulation error.
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Authors and Affiliations

Jacek Jakubowski
1
ORCID: ORCID
Tuan Anh Phan
2
ORCID: ORCID

  1. Department of Civil & Geotechnical Engineering and Geomechanics, AGH University of Krakow, Poland
  2. Departme nt of Underground and Mining Construction, Hanoi University of Minning and Geology, Vietnam
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Abstract

The present paper reports on various test methods and techniques which have been developed throughout the last decades. These methods have been used to evaluate both axial and shear performance of tendons under impact loading mode. Based on the literature review conducted on the scientific documents, published between 1992 and 2024, the developed facilities mainly work based on the direct impact and momentum transfer methods. In the direct impact method, which can be done in-situ and in the laboratory, the impact energy is applied by a mass freely falls to the test sample. In the momentum transfer method, the test assembly, consisting of both the mass and test sample free-fall at the beginning of the test until the movement of the assembly is halted by a stopper, and the momentum of the mass is transferred to the test sample. Besides, most of the current facilities are working based on the direct impact method. It was also found that less research have been conducted on dynamic shear testing, especially high-strength cable bolts, as most of the facilities have been designed for pull testing. In addition, it was found that in dynamic pull-out tests of rock bolts, two main mechanisms of energy absorption are identified: steel plastic deformation and bolt sliding within the encapsulation medium. The first impact plays a key role in energy absorption, causing significant permanent displacements, while the energy consumed in displacing the bolt is more indicative of dynamic behavior than the total input energy. According to the results, the tendons that undergo static deformations before dynamic loading are more prone to failure as some parts of their performance have already lost. Meanwhile, differences between dynamic and static shear tests suggest that dynamic tests require less energy for failure, as friction is ineffective in impact loading. Finally, the study highlights gaps in the current understanding of tendon performance under impact loading, with potential research directions aimed at improving safety in underground excavation.
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Authors and Affiliations

Adel Mottahedi
1
Naj Aziz
1
Alex Remennikov
1
Ali Mirzaghorbanali
2
Kevin Marston
1

  1. University of Wollongong, School of Civil, Mining, and Environmental Engineering, Wollongong, Australia
  2. University of Southern Queensland, School of Civil Engineering and Surveying, Toowoomba, Australia
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Abstract

To address the issue of low permeability in the coal seam of Pingdingshan coal mine, this study proposes a directional hydraulic fracturing technique enhanced by a preset guide groove, aimed at improving coal seam extraction efficiency. The COMSOL Multiphysics simulation software is utilized to develop a coupling model that integrates coal rock stress, damage, and permeability during hydraulic fracturing. The study examines the changes in the elastic damage modulus and effective extraction radius under the influence of the guide groove, with field tests conducted on the 24130 working face. Results from both numerical simulations and field tests reveal that the horizontal principal stress exceeds the vertical principal stress under the influence of the guide channel, leading to horizontal tensile fractures in the rock stratum. Post-fracturing, the average gas concentration in the extraction borehole reached 42.4%, with an average pure gas extraction rate of 0.0098 m3/min, and an effective extraction radius of 3.6 m, aligning well with the simulation results.
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Authors and Affiliations

Zhiyuan Shen
1
ORCID: ORCID
Chunting Wang
1
ORCID: ORCID
Zhenlong Yang
1
ORCID: ORCID

  1. Shenyang Jianzhu University, China

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[1] L.B. Magalas, Development of High-Resolution Mechanical Spectroscopy, HRMS: Status and Perspectives. HRMS Coupled with a Laser Dilatometer . Arch. Metall. Mater. 60 (3), 2069-2076 (2015). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/AMM-2015-0350

[2] E. Pagounis, M.J. Szczerba, R. Chulist, M. Laufenberg, Large Magnetic Field-Induced Work output in a NiMgGa Seven-Lavered Modulated Martensite. Appl. Phys. Lett. 107, 152407 (2015). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4933303

[3] H. Etschmaier, H. Torwesten, H. Eder, P. Hadley, Suppression of Interdiffusion in Copper/Tin thin Films. J. Mater. Eng. Perform. (2012). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-011-0090-2.

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[4] K.U. Kainer (Ed.), Metal Matrix Composites, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim (2006).

[5] K. Szacilowski, Infochemistry: Information Processing at the Nanoscale, Wiley (2012).

[6] L. Reimer, H. Kohl, Transmission Electron Microscopy: Physics of Image Formation, Springer, New York (2008).

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[7] R. Major, P. Lacki, R. Kustosz, J. M. Lackner, Modelling of nanoindentation to simulate thin layer behavior, in: K. J. Kurzydłowski, B. Major, P. Zięba (Eds.), Foundation of Materials Design 2006, Research Signpost (2006).

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[8] https://www.nist.gov/programs-projects/crystallographic-databases, accessed: 17.04.2017

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[9] T. Mitra, PhD thesis, Modeling of Burden Distribution in the Blast Furnace, Abo Akademi University, Turku/Abo, Finland (2016).


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