Geotechnical prerequisites for safe and efficient accessing and mining of thick coal seam in highlands

Abstract

Bel-Alma deposit is located in the Batken region in Kyrgyzstan. Orographycally, the deposit occurs on the south shoulder of the Kichik–Alai ridge, 1–1.5 km away from the cognominal river. The local relief is high-mountain, rocky and heavily broken. Geologically, the deposit is composed of the Upper Paleozoic rocks, which underlay the stratified Meso-Cenozoic deposits, and amorphous loose overburden. The productive strata is the bottom range of the Sogul series of the Jurassic system. The total thickness of the series in the cross-section is 102.7 m. The Sogul series rocks feature erosion and distinct structural unconformity in the Paleozoic residuum. The overlying strata are represented by red conglomerates and sandstone of the Upper Cretaceous age. The geotechnical estimation of the properties of rocks composing the study area in Bel-Alma deposit is performed. The rock mass structure is determined using geological exploration cores. The parameters of stable pit wall and benches are preliminarily optimized and will be included in the ultimate pit limit design.