In the heart of China’s coal mining industry, a revolutionary approach to ground control is reshaping the future of safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly mining practices. Led by Jialin Xu, a researcher at the State Key Laboratory for Fine Exploration and Intelligent Development of Coal Resources at China University of Mining & Technology, this innovative method, dubbed “full-stratigraphy,” is poised to address some of the most pressing challenges in the energy sector.
Traditional ground control methods have often fallen short, focusing on localized rock movements and treating overlying rocks as homogeneous entities. This oversimplification has led to inadequate solutions for issues like support crushing, water inrush, and subsidence—problems that can halt operations and pose significant safety risks. Xu’s full-stratigraphy approach, however, takes a holistic view, considering the entire overburden as a dynamic system influenced by various factors.
“The key is to grasp the main contradiction,” Xu explains, referring to the identification of key strata that play a crucial role in controlling overburden movement. By understanding these key strata and their interactions with other geological features, mining operations can be optimized for safety and efficiency. This approach has already yielded remarkable results, solving a series of engineering problems related to disaster prevention and control.
One of the most significant innovations stemming from the full-stratigraphy thought is the establishment of a structural model of ‘key stratum – loose stratum arch’ in the mining overburden. This model has laid the groundwork for predicting the height of fractured water-conducting zones, a critical factor in preventing water inrush. Additionally, the method has been used to estimate surface subsidence, providing valuable insights for surface management and environmental protection.
The commercial implications of this research are vast. By enhancing ground control, mining operations can reduce downtime, lower maintenance costs, and improve overall productivity. Moreover, the environmental benefits are substantial. Green mining practices, such as those enabled by the full-stratigraphy approach, can minimize surface subsidence and water pollution, aligning with global sustainability goals.
In practical terms, the full-stratigraphy thought has been applied to solve specific engineering challenges. For instance, it has identified the root causes of pressurized racking in shallow buried coal seams and developed effective prevention and control measures. It has also quantified the influence of key stratum location on water breakout, guiding the development of new water control strategies.
The research, published in Meitan xuebao, which translates to Coal Science and Technology, marks a significant step forward in the field of ground control. As the energy sector continues to evolve, the full-stratigraphy approach offers a promising path towards safer, more efficient, and environmentally responsible mining practices. With further development and application, this innovative method could revolutionize the way we approach ground control, shaping the future of the mining industry and beyond.
