Document Type
Conference Paper
Publication Date
2004
Abstract
In a globally competitive environment, coal mining operations are continually focusing on improving longwall mine production and productivity levels, and at the same time enhancing safety practices. Commonly operators look to reduce costs and increase development rates by looking to improve equipment performance, change work practices and reduce unplanned downtime. This can be achieved in part by complementary assessments into potentially disruptive geological and geotechnical issues such as faults, intrusives and poor strata conditions, using advanced geological exploration and imaging techniques, in conjunction with their existing site-based geological knowledge. However, the location of, and controls on, local structural risk issues are not always well understood. Geometric patterns of small and local scale structures typically are a reflection of structures that are developed at regional scales. Developing an understanding of regional structure can enhance the insight into local mining risks. Regional structures are important in controlling basin initiation, depositional centres, fold and fault development, fault reactivation, and the loci for volcanic and intrusive activity.
Publication Details
This conference paper was originally published as Woodfull, C, Munroe, S, Griffin, S, Buckingham, A, Ham, A, Etheridge, M & Hanna, P, A Structural Synthesis of the Sydney Basin - Working Towards Improving Geological Confidence and Productivity, in Aziz, N (ed), Coal 2004: Coal Operators' Conference, University of Wollongong & the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 2004, 41-47.