Welcome to SCT's own publications library which contains a collection of recent publications and other resources with reliable research about our technology.
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Successful Management Strategy for Mining Adjacent to a Sensitive Natural Feature - Ken Mills
Published Oct, 2017BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal operates Dendrobium Mine in an area 10-20 km west-northwest of Wollongong in NSW, Australia. The mine recently completed mining in Area 3A adjacent to an overhanging natural rock feature known as Sandy Creek Waterfall. Illawarra Coal undertook measures to protect the waterfall and the section of Sandy Creek immediately upstream of the waterfall from the effects of longwall mining using an innovative management process and an array of high resolution monitoring systems. This paper describes the management options that were considered and the processes that were adopted to successfully protect the waterfall from the valley closure effects of mining four adjacent longwall panels in close proximity to the waterfall while continuing to maximise recovery of the coal resource in the area.
The management structure adopted involved a Technical Committee, a Steering Committee, and an external independent reviewer. The Technical Committee comprised senior representatives from Illawarra Coal, three external specialists in rock mechanics and subsidence, and a government observer. The Technical Committee was responsible for design of the monitoring systems, interpretation of the monitoring results, and the provision of recommendations to the Steering Committee suitable to guide decisions on when to cease mining each adjacent panel. The Steering Committee comprised Illawarra Coal management and technical personnel. Although the Steering Committee took advice from the Technical Committee, all decisions relating to mining were made by the Steering Committee. An external reviewer was engaged by the Steering Committee at the end of each longwall panel to review the results, interpretation and management decisions. This management structure was effective in successfully protecting the very sensitive structure of Sandy Creek Waterfall from potential impacts of nearby mining in the midst of active ongoing natural erosion processes. Successful-Management-Strategy-for-Mining-Adjacent-to-a-Sensitive-Natural-Feature-K.Mills.pdf2.2 MB -
Developments in Understanding Subsidence with Improved Monitoring - Ken Mills
Published Nov, 2017Ground movements associated with coal mining have been occurring since coal mining was first practiced but the ability to interpret these movements and develop and understanding of the mechanics involved was initially limited by irregular mining geometries and the vagaries of pillar behaviour. The introduction of longwall mining to Australia with its regular geometries, full extraction, and single seam extraction has provided opportunities to eliminate many of the mining related variables that are present in pillar extraction operations and so provide a much more controlled environment in which to conduct measurements and develop understanding of the mechanics of overburden caving and subsidence processes. The understanding of these processes has developed as a result of improvements in surveying and monitoring techniques and the application of these techniques to satisfy the requirements of regulatory authorities in response to changing community expectations. This paper presents as overview of the developments in monitoring technique for characterising subsidence and sub-surface ground movements and the developments in understanding of subsidence related ground behaviour that have been possible as a result. Developments-in-Understanding-Subsidence-with-Improved-Monitoring-K.Mills.pdf690 KB -
Experience of Monitoring Subsidence at Ulan Coal Mine - Ken Mills
Published Nov, 2017The Hunter Expressway Alliance has been commissioned by the Roads and Traffic Authority to design and construct a new dual carriageway motorway between the F3 at Minmi and Buchanan in the lower Hunter Valley. The route of the proposed motorway passes over an area where coal has been mined for over a century and further mining is proposed in the future. Subsidence movements associated with the sudden collapse of standing pillars and proposed future mining have potential to impact on some of the major bridge structures and sections of pavement. This paper presents an overview of the mining hazards identified and the various mitigation strategies that have been implemented to protect the project against these potential hazards. Experience-of-Monitoring-Subsidence-at-Ulan-Coal-Mine-K.Mills.pdf225 KB -
The Effects of Mining Subsidence on Rockbars in the Waratah Rivulet at Metropolitan Colliery - Ken Mills
Published Nov, 2017Metropolitan Colliery is currently longwall mining below a section of Waratah Rivulet in the Woronora water supply catchment. The effects of mining subsidence on the quantity and quality of water and the ecological integrity of the rivulet are of interest to the Sydney Catchment Authority. The Colliery has undertaken a significant program of work aimed to assess the likely impact of mining on the rivulet. The program includes subsidence monitoring, instrumentation to monitor the effects of mining subsidence on rockbars, flow and water quality monitoring and monitoring of vegetation, aquatic ecology and archaeological sites.
This paper describes the results of subsidence and rockbar monitoring up to the completion of Longwalls 9 and 10. The-Effects-of-Mining-Subsidence-on-Rockbars-in-the-Waratah-Rivulet-at-Metropolitan-Colliery-K.Mills.pdf3.9 MB -
Pillar Design to Control Subsidence at Moonee Colliery - Ken Mills
Published Jul, 1998Moonee Colliery are longwall mining in the Great Northern seam at depths ranging from 90m to 170m. Surface infrastructure above the first four longwall panels includes the Pacific Highway and several residential and commercial properties.
This paper describes the pillar design approach used to manage surface subsidence in the area. The approach is based on previous detailed subsidence and pillar monitoring in nearby Wallarah Colliery and measurements of subsidence throughout the Lake Macquarie area for a wide range of pillar sizes and overburden depths. Undermining the Pacific Highway requires consideration of not only the amount of subsidence but also the timing and nature of subsidence. Various options were considered and a design developed to control surface subsidence to acceptable levels. This paper summarises the results of previous monitoring and outlines the issues considered in the longwall panel design for subsidence control at Moonee Colliery. MSTS-Conference-1998-Pillar-Design-to-Control-Subsidence-at-Moonee-Colliery-K.Mills-1998.pdf271 KB