Abstract
In order to avoid the destruction of underground aquifers in the eco-environment frangible area caused by the exploitation of coal resources, a new coal mining method with near-zero impact on aquifers (MNIA) was proposed according to the advantages of strip mining and backfill mining methods to effectively control overburden, which is coordinated with the eco-environment. First, the ecological fragile status of the high-intensity mining area is studied. This is followed by the basic principle, technical steps, and its characteristics and advantages of MNIA. Combined with specific mining conditions, theoretical analysis and physical simulation are adopted. Then, the determination principle of strip mining parameters, filling width along the strip coal pillar, width of the narrow pillar in the recovery strip residual pillar and filling rate are given. The MNIA is more effective in thin- and medium-thick coal seams. Based on the long-term stability evaluation method of the strip pillar, it is determined that the narrow coal pillar and backfill body have long-term stability. In addition, the development and utilization of the underground space is proposed, which provides a new solution for the in situ protection of aquifers, effective utilization of underground space, and coordinated development of ecological environment and coal resource exploitation in the eco-environment frangible area.
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Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to the editor and reviewer for their helpful comments and constructive suggestions in improving this paper.
Funding
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (52104127 and 51974105), Research fund of Henan Key Laboratory for Green and Efficient Mining & Comprehensive Utilization of Mineral Resources (Henan Polytechnic University) (KCF202002), Key Scientific Research Projects of Colleges and Universities in Henan Province (21A440003), Henan Science and Technology Research Project (212102310399), Open fund of State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources in Western China (SKLCRKF20-01), and Open Fund of Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Geological Support for Coal Green Exploitation (DZBZ2020-04).
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Bai, E., Guo, W., Zhang, H. et al. Coal mining method with near-zero impact on the ecological environment in a high-intensity mining area of Northwest China. Bull Eng Geol Environ 81, 80 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-022-02574-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-022-02574-6