Physical modeling the formation of roof collapse zones in Vorkuta coal mines

Abstract

Collapse of the roof during mining is a constant threat to the lives of miners and equipmentperformance. To predict it, different numerical and physical approaches are used. Physical modelingof the massif region from -951 m to -841 m using equivalent materials were undertaken in thisinvestigation. Various options for mining the Vorkuta coal deposit were considered: mining onlythe upper industrial seam, mining the lower coal seam as a protective layer to the upper one, andassessing the impact on the collapse zone of the complex structure of the upper coal seam roofwhile maintaining an upward order of mining. The main results were as follows: calculated collapsezone is approximately 30% larger than theoretical; collapse zone decreased when using miningwith lower protective coal seam; the largest collapse zone was observed when pinching the rocks inupward mining order. Therefore, the research has shown the need to adjust the project for a largermethane yield. Further large-scale modeling is needed for understanding the characteristics of thecollapse zone.