Document Type
Conference Paper
Publication Date
January 2008
Abstract
The demand for increased production, safety and resource recovery has put pressure on the coal industry to find methods to mine through fault zones. One of the processes used to reduce the likelihood of face instability is to consolidate the strata around the fault using grouting techniques. Since grouting techniques are being used more frequently in practice, the industry requires a greater understanding of the effect of fault consolidation on ground improvement and associated strata response during mining. This paper presents the results of a recent ACARP research project aimed to assess faulted areas to determine the need or otherwise for grouting and their likely impact on mining performance. A review of past fault consolidation projects was undertaken to determine their “success” in longwall operations and to identify factors that influence longwall ground control. This paper includes a comparative analysis of grouting results from several mines. The outcomes will provide guidance to assist operators in understanding when fault grouting is required, how it might be implemented and expected outcomes of the grouting program.
Publication Details
This conference paper was originally published as Medhurst, T, Bartlett, M and Sliwa, R, Effect of Grouting on Longwall Mining Through Faults in Aziz, N (ed), Coal 2008: Coal Operators' Conference, University of Wollongong & the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 2008, 44-55.