The Mining-Induced Seepage Effect and Reconstruction of Key Aquiclude Strata During Backfill Mining

Abstract

When mining coal below aquifers, the height of the water-conducting zone above the mine panel is widely used as one of the main criteria in assessing mine safety. However, its direct application to backfill mining is quite problematic, and alternative approaches have to be used to more accurately reflect the relevant processes. The compaction characteristics and seepage behavior in crushed key aquiclude strata were experimentally investigated by analyzing the hydrogeological characters of aquiclude strata and aquifers in the Wugou coal mine. The results explained the mechanism of the backfill mining-induced seepage and indicated the feasibility of reconstructing the key aquiclude strata to protect regional water resources. Based on the regional geology and hydrogeological characteristics of the aquiclude strata, various reconstruction forms were analyzed, with the approbation of structural and seepage stability criteria of aquiclude strata. The research results were corroborated by field measurements and provide new theoretical guidance for protecting water resources during mining in China.