Evolution and modeling of mine water inflow and hazard characteristics in southern coalfields of China: A case of Meitanba mine

Abstract

In this paper, the hydrogeological characteristics in the southern coalfields of China are first briefly outlined. Then, taking the Meitanba mine as an example, the evolution and modeling of mine water inflow are studied. Finally, the hazard characteristics related to mine water and mud inrush are analyzed. The results show that the main mine water sources in the Meitanba mine area are groundwater, surface water and precipitation. The evolution of mine water inflow with time indicates that the water inflow is closely related to the development of karst structures, the amount of water from rainfall infiltration, and the scope of groundwater depression cone. The mine water inflow increases with time due to the increase in mining depth and the expansion of groundwater depression cone. Using the big well method and following the potential superposition principle, a hydrogeological model considering multi-well interactions has been developed to predict the mine water inflow. Based on the monitored data in the Meitanba mine area over a period of nearly 60 years, it is found that with increasing mining depth, the number of water and mud inrush points tended to decrease. However, the average water and mud flow rate per point tended to increase.