Characteristics of an underground stope channel supplied by atmospheric precipitation and its water disaster prevention in the karst mining areas of Guizhou

Abstract

Atmospheric precipitation floods mining areas, which seriously affects the safe production of coal mines. However, research on the mechanism underlying precipitation supplying coal mines, particularly in karst landform areas, remains far from sufficient. Based on the collection of a large amount of geological and hydrogeological mining data and some data related to mine atmospheric precipitation and mine water inflow, the channels of atmospheric precipitation supplying mines in the main coal-producing areas of Guizhou, China, are systematically analysed and studied. They are divided into weathering zone fractures, mining fractures, water diversion faults, water diversion collapse columns and karst channels. Recharge channels have the characteristics of surface infiltration, pipeline flow and layered recharge, as well as self-healing after being filled by surface loess and other materials. The supply of atmospheric precipitation to the coal mine stope is seasonal. The mine water inflow in the rainy season is 1.2 ~ 12 times that in the dry season, with an average of 1.9 times. The supply has hysteresis. The lag time of surface infiltration, pipeline flow and layered flow is 2 ~ 4 days, within 24 h and more than 2 days, respectively. The recharge is affected by the burial depth of the coal seam and the characteristics of the combined upper roof slate. Among the mines affected by atmospheric precipitation and water disasters, some mines have carried out research on the comprehensive treatment of water disasters, implemented supplementary exploration projects such as surface hydrogeological drilling and geophysical exploration, or carried out hydrochemical research. Some mines have adopted water prevention and control projects, such as blocking ground water diversion cracks, constructing water diversion projects, adjusting the mining time of the working face, transforming the drainage system and improving the drainage capacity, to ensure the safe production of mines. This research achievement may provide a theoretical basis and practical experience for the prevention and control of atmospheric precipitation infiltration in coal mines in karst areas.