Roof Instability In Underground Mining

Gm molinda the u s.

Roof instability in underground mining.

At the root of many injuries and fatalities are weak or defective roof strata. Observed roof instabilities can generally be related to excessive horizontal stresses or unfavorable geological structures that cause block fallout or beam failure of the bedded roof rocks. Fatalities and injuries are a prominent concern but lost time due to cleanup and disruption of mining operations presents an economic problem as well. In spite of the room widths the roof is naturally stable in many mines.

Most ground control injuries result from small rock falls that occur in a supported area but do not. Throughout mining history millions of miles of entry have provided exposure of every conceivable geologic roof hazard. Roof fall is one of the greatest hazards facing underground coal miners. Coal beds mined in the illinois basin region are susceptible to roof falls.

Roof falls in underground coal mines are a continuing source of trouble for mine operators. Underground coal miner faces a continuing hazard from the fall of roof. The risk of injury caused by minor roof falls continues to increase in underground mining. Key findings include the following.

Design and maintenance of adequate support systems is essential for ensuring ground stability and preventing roof falls. Although roof support systems have improved greatly roof falls continue to occur in bolted areas. Key findings include the following. In this region roof instability is.

About 70 of roof fall. F rom the stud y of ground control problems it was found that roof failure is one of the p rominent problems covering almost 27 of the total accident occurs in underground coal mines kejrival. Currently roof bolting is the primary means of supporting mine roof in room and pillar operations in the bituminous coal sector. The geological structures most commonly mentioned in the roof fall narratives were slips laminated roof and draw rock.

An additional 48 roof falls occurred with no lost days in 2017. Many geologic and geomechanical factors contribute to mine roof instability. The geology geometry timing and frequency of roof falls can usually give some indication of the cause of failure. Falls of roof continue to be a major hazard in underground coal mining.