Slope Stability Monitoring by Quantification and Behavior of Microseismic Events in an Opencast Coal Mine

Abstract

Abstract The application of a routine high resolution microseismic monitoring system installed in an opencast coal mine for monitoring highwall slope failures is discussed. A PC based microseismic network consisting of geophones, data loggers, GPS synchronization and Ethernet antennas for wireless communication is employed to study the impact of induced seismicity on the slope failures in real time. The study aimed to understand the rock mass response to mining induced seismicity from the behavior of seismic events within rock mass. The level of induced seismicity due to underground excavation is determined from the seismic source parameters such as locations, magnitude, and seismic energy. The status of the slope is assessed by the quantification of the microseismic events. The understanding of spatial and temporal distribution of the seismic events within the mining district correlated well with the existing geological structures and the excavation sequence. The application of microseismic system in the opencast mine has not only yielded confident results, but also marked as an effective tool for continuous monitoring of seismicity on the deep opencast slopes for mitigating the seismic risks and hazard management.