Source Analysis of Post-Blasting Events Recorded in Deep Copper Mine, Poland

Abstract

Seismic and rock burst hazard is a very important factor that has to be considered in seismically active mining areas. Several different methods are used to decrease seismic activity in mines. Among others, an active prevention method known as destress blasting, is considered the most effective technique. The aim of this work is to find possible influences of such active prevention on observed seismic activity recorded in the established waiting time after blasts. Using technological knowledge and seismic data recorded by an underground seismic network, we estimated several parameters that characterize sources provoked by blasting works and compared them with the parameters obtained for spontaneous, non-provoked mining tremors. According to our studies the source mechanisms of post-blasting seismicity are characterized by the similar non-DC part of the full moment tensor whereas the source mechanisms of spontaneous events are not characterized by any specific features. On the other hand non-provoked seismicity presents lowest values of apparent stress. Also ES to EP ratio suggest some differences between events occurred immediately after blasting (up to 30 s) and the rest dataset. We believe that these parameters could be considered valuable tools supporting established safety time limitations after active prevention.