Stability Analysis of Underground Developed Pillars of Opencast Mine Using Three-Dimensional Finite Element Method Authored

Abstract

The major coal producing companies of the India are running most of the opencast mines to excavate the underground developed pillars as the underground mines possess various strata control issues, subsidence, ensures low production and makes losses. During extraction of such developed pillars, the men and machineries may trap in the developed galleries. Hence, the conditions of the pillars and galleries need to be assessed before approaching the developed pillars. In this study, a case study of Jharia Coal field is chosen for detailed stability analysis of the workings. For this, 3D numerical modelling technique is applied to assess the condition of the underground pillars and galleries. From the study, it is observed that the pillars and galleries of the workings for a maximum of 15 m from the slope surface fails severely. It is therefore, these area requires special precautions while approaching the developed coal seam/workings.