Waste Rock Research Articles

Mineral Carbonation Potential (MCP) of Mine Waste Material: Derivation of an MCP Parameter

The heterogenous mineralogy of ultramafic deposits hosting mining operations makes it challenging to accurately determine the waste rock’s mineral carbonation potential (MCP). Additionally, the significantly higher carbonation capabilities of olivine than serpentine add to the difficulty. To address this issue, in this work, a new and unique tool called the MCP calculator was developed as a Microsoft ExcelTM spreadsheet to accurately determine the amount of anthropogenic CO2 that a given rock mass can sequester through mineral carbonation. The program estimates the modal mineral abundance of ultramafic rocks to aid in MCP estimation. This tool is designed to be cost-effective and tailored for use by the mining industry, utilising abundant lithogeochemical data to evaluate their deposit as a potential substrate for industrial mineral carbonation operations. The paper introduces the MCP calculator, outlines a framework for developing the MCP parameter, and presents an example of its application. The calculator is specific to the mineral assemblage investigated at the Turnagain ultramafic complex in northern British Columbia but can be adjusted to study comparable deposits. The paper acknowledges that using waste rock in a mineral carbonation operation requires economic and practical decisions beyond the scope of the research.

Characterization and environmental sustainability of open pit coal mine overburden waste rock as pavement geomaterial

As the global economy grows and living standards increase, the use of gravel and sand is expected to nearly quadruple by 2060, putting twice as much strain on the environment as it does now. Local solutions to the global problem are always more sustainable and resilient. In recent times, coal mine overburden (OB) is an unprocessed, highly heterogenous waste of coal mining industries. However, it has proved to be a sound potential alterative of natural aggregate. The associated engineering properties are very site specific and are highly influenced by geology and exposed climate. A comprehensive laboratory testing program oriented at determining the geotechnical and geoenvironmental properties is implemented to investigate the suitability of the OB as pavement material. The load-deformation performance as pavement material is evaluated using 3D finite element modelling and environmental sustainability is assessed through streamlined Life cycle assessment (LCA). This inert geomaterial is acceptable as a pavement material for base and subbase layers with impact value of 28 %, and abrasion value 34 %. The California bearing ratio (CBR) of 76 at unsoaked and 61 at soaked conditions also affirm its choice as an excellent subgrade material. The critical state parameters of the fine aggregate defined the long-term serviceability as a subgrade material. The load-deformation behavior of overburden was found to be similar to the natural aggregate as a pavement material with comparable maximum deflection of 1.20 mm for OB and 1.25 mm for natural aggregate. The LCA revealed that OB are more environmentally sustainable than natural aggregates as base and subbase material. The study highlights the importance of proper characterization and testing of OB to ensure its safe and effective use in construction applications, providing robust local solutions to global problems.

Maternal Transfer and Effects of Selenium on Early Life Stage Development of Redside Shiner (Richardsonius balteatus).

Maternal transfer of selenium (Se) to developing fish eggs during vitellogenesis can cause larval deformity and mortality. Previous studies have shown wide variation among fish species in both the magnitude of maternal transfer (exposure) and the egg Se concentration causing effects (sensitivity). We studied maternal transfer and effects of Se on early life stage development, survival, and growth of redside shiner (Richardsonius balteatus), a small-bodied cyprinid that has been reported to have relatively high ovary:muscle Se concentration ratios. Gametes were collected from lentic areas in southeast British Columbia (Canada) with a range of dietary Se concentrations related to weathering of waste rock from coal mining. Eggs were fertilized and reared in the laboratory from hatch to the onset of exogenous feeding. Larvae were assessed for survival, length, weight, Se-characteristic deformities, and edema. Eggs from a total of 56 females were collected, with egg Se concentrations from 0.7 to 28 mg/kg dry weight. Maternal transfer varied among sites, with egg:muscle Se concentration ratios ranging from <1 to >4. We also found that sampling residual ovaries can overestimate Se concentrations in ripe eggs by up to a factor of 5.7. A correlation between larval weight and egg Se concentration was identified, although the relationship was weak (r2 < 0.1) and appeared to be a site effect. No other relationships were observed between larval endpoints and egg Se concentrations up to the highest concentration tested, indicating that the effects threshold for this species may be >28 mg/kg dry weight in eggs. These data indicate that redside shiner is less sensitive to maternally transferred Se than most other tested fish species. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:2350-2357. © 2023 SETAC.

A bioassay of mine-affected soils and ameliorants in semi-arid rehabilitation

Global restoration is a priority given the onset of the United Nations’ decade for restoration. It is challenging to restore arid lands from mining impacts, especially where topsoil deficits exist. Successful rehabilitation is essential for alternative land use after mining. This bioassay aimed to establish whether and why some combinations of iron ore mine-affected soils and ameliorants are more effective in promoting plant growth than others. We examined the responses of one thousand radishes (Raphanus sativus) to five mine-affected soils and four soil ameliorations (soil improvement using fertiliser and organic matter) over two different seasons (early and late rainy seasons). We found that soil characteristics affected plant production regardless of amelioration and that some soil/amelioration combinations were significantly better than others. Topsoil ameliorated by moderate fertiliser application produced the best results. Waste rock could support germination and plant production when ameliorated with certain organic compost and fertiliser combinations. Untreated mine-affected soils had low to no plant production. Plant responses to the different soil/amelioration combinations were affected by season. Our findings suggest that area-specific bioassay investigations and their results could improve management decisions to achieve rehabilitation targets for mine-affected soils.

Synthesis of nano-silica as a promising route of recycling phosphate waste rocks and its incorporation in mortars

This article is devoted to the synthesis of nano-silica from phosphate waste rocks as a promising route of recycling these silica-rich phosphate by-products. Furthermore, their reactivity potential will be investigated while incorporating them as nano-additive and as a partial replacement to cement in the conventionally used recipes of mortars. It has been shown that the synthesized nano-silica has a higher level of purity and a large specific surface area, which is about 8 times higher than the initial raw material. Various formulations of mortars were tested after adding different percentages of nano-silica to the ordinarily used recipe, at a constant water-to-cement ratio, and their microstructure, mineralogical composition, and mechanical properties were investigated. It was shown that compressive strength and flexural strength increased, and the fluidity of the mortars decreased when the ratio of nano-silica increased from 1% to 5%.

Radiation and Environmental Safety in the Exploration and Development of Metal Deposits in South Yakutia

Radiometric surveys of mining dumps on spent placers of gold, monazite and the exploited gold-uranium ore deposit in South Yakutia were carried out. It is established that the dumps of alluvial, overburden and waste rocks in terms of the effective specific activity of radionuclides when used in construction work are characterized by different degrees of tolerance. It is shown that stacked radioactive ore dumps at the “Lunnoye” deposit after heap leaching of gold become powerful uncontrolled sources of radioactive pollution of the environment. It is recommended to conduct periodic monitoring of their radioactivity levels by express methods of field radiometry for the safe use of mining dumps as building materials.

Soil organic matter stabilization during early stages of Technosol development from Ca, Mg and pyrite-rich parent material

The mechanisms underlying soil organic matter (SOM) accrual in Technosols are still poorly understood. Here we studied a 20-year chronosequence of three Technosols constructed with dolomitic limestone mining waste: two cultivated with sugarcane (for 3 and 7 years) and one under pasture (for ∼20 years). Through a combination of SOM physical fractionation and wet-chemical extractions, we aimed to unravel the processes driving SOM accumulation in these soils and developed a conceptual model for embryonic soils developed from Ca, Mg and pyrite-rich parent material. Our results revealed that the weathering of comminuted waste rocks (e.g., shale, siltstone) provided 2:1 minerals (especially smectite) to participate in mineral-organic associations. The weathering of primary minerals also promoted the formation of secondary minerals, which interacted with SOM and increased the amount of mineral associated organic matter (MAOM) up to 20 g SOC kg−1. Pyrite oxidation produced highly reactive secondary Fe phases, while the dolomite dissolution increased the concentrations of Ca2+ and Mg2+ and maintained near-neutral pH conditions, favoring the formation of cation-bridges. The progressive increase in the different operational Fe fractions (Fe in organomineral complex, poorly crystalline, and crystalline Fe oxides) along the Technosol chronosequence was strongly correlated with MAOM, highlighting the significant role of Fe in SOM accumulation. Furthermore, we observed substantial increase in particulate organic matter (POM), up to 22 g SOC kg−1, which was associated with increased aggregate formation and stability. These processes collectively contribute to the protection of SOM during early stages of soil development from in Ca, Mg, and pyrite-rich parent material, and thus indicate a high potential for carbon sequestration.

Optimization of the Engineering Properties of Cement Concrete Containing Gravel and Waste Rock Using Dense Packing and Response Surface Methodology

This study introduces a novel methodology for optimizing the distribution of aggregate particles in concrete. Utilizing locally available materials like gravel and waste rock is explored as a sustainable alternative to conventional materials like mountain rock and river sand, which are depleting. Determining the maximum bulk density involves an efficient process of gradually adding different particle sizes of gravel and waste rock to the mixture. The vibrational compaction of the container aids in identifying the optimally combined percentages of these aggregates. Besides, the study also addresses the issue of porosity in concrete. The response surface methodology is employed to optimize the mixture proportions for concrete, considering important factors such as workability, compressive strength, flexural strength, and elastic modulus. This response surface methodology allows for the development of mathematical models that aid in determining the optimal mix ratios. By exploiting the potential of gravel and waste rock, this study aims to procedure cement concrete containing gravels and waste rock (WR) with required compressive strength from 30 MPa to 35 MPa based on reasonable aggregate particle distribution in combination with response surface methodology (RSM) and minimize the disposal of non-biodegradable waste, thereby reducing the environmental pollution. Additionally, utilizing locally available materials helps to effectively use the region's resources for concrete production, promoting sustainability and reducing dependency on scarce resources. The proposed method presents a promising approach to optimizing aggregate distribution in concrete while considering the environmental and resource constraints specific to the Northwest region of Vietnam.

Experimental study on the natural mixing behaviour of waste rocks poured in a paste backfill

ABSTRACT Underground produced waste rocks (WR) are typically hoisted and stored on the ground surface as WR piles. The practice requires energy consumption for transporting the WR from underground to ground surface and generates additional operation costs. An alternative practice is to directly pour the WR into mine stopes being filled with paste backfill. However, the natural mixing behaviour of WR poured in a paste backfill has never been studied. To fill this gap, a series of physical model tests have been performed for the first time in the laboratory to understand the natural mixing behaviour of WR and paste backfill. The definitions of solids content by mass of WR and mixing degree are for the first time proposed to quantitatively evaluate the mixing behaviour between the poured WR and paste backfill. The test results show that the penetration of waste rocks into paste backfill and mixing degree can be improved through the use of paste backfill of low solids content, large particle sizes of waste rocks and/or through the increase of falling height of poured waste rocks. The proposed definitions can be used as good indicators to quantitatively evaluate the mixing quality of the natural mixture.

Satellite-Based Mapping of Gold-Mining-Related Land-Cover Changes in the Magadan Region, Northeast Russia

Gold mining generates major environmental impacts like landscape degradation, accumulation of waste rock dumps, and water contamination by suspended solids. Russia ranks third in the world in gold production, but the impact of gold mining has not been previously estimated for its vast northeastern part. This study provides a detailed overview of land-cover changes associated with gold mining in the Magadan region (northeast Russia) in the 21st century, where alluvial gold production has increased by a third in the last 20 years. A long-term series of Landsat and Sentinel-2 images obtained in July and August are used to compile two datasets of mining-impacted areas with totally removed vegetation for 2000–2002 and 2022. We calculated the NDVI difference and then discriminated mining-related vegetation losses from other bare areas, using additional data like the classification of landforms based on the digital surface model and the data on mining allotments. The total area of gold-mining sites was estimated as 41,206 ha in 2000–2002 and 72,602 ha in 2022, with an increase of 26,031 ha over the past 4–6 years. Moreover, this is a lower-boundary estimate, without taking into account man-made reservoirs and historical mines recovered by vegetation. The spatial distribution of mining sites has not changed significantly over the past two decades and has a maximum in the western part of the region. We found that the floodplains of the Berelekh and Debin Rivers (large tributaries of the Kolyma River) are most heavily impacted by gold mining with a removed vegetation canopy occupying 16.0% and 11.2% of their area. Along with the land degradation assessment, we found that 19,900 ha of historical gold-mining sites in the Berelekh River basin are recovered by vegetation, which is comparable in size to the areas impacted by mining over the past 20 years.

Iron colloidal transport mechanisms and sequestration of As, Ni, and Cu along AMD-induced environmental gradients

Colloids are common in mine waters and their chemistry and interactions are critical aspects of metal(loid)s cycling. Previous studies mostly focus on the colloidal transport of metal(loid)s in zones where rivers and soil profiles receive acid mine drainage (AMD). However, there is limited knowledge of the colloid and the associated toxic element behavior as the effluent flows through the coal waste dump, where a geochemical gradient is produced due to AMD reacting with waste rocks which have high acid-neutralization effects. Here, we investigated the geochemistry of Fe and co-occurring elements As, Ni, and Cu along the coal waste dump, in aqueous, colloidal, and precipitate phases, using micro/ultrafiltration combined with STEM, AFM-nanoIR, SEM-EDS, XRD, and FTIR analysis. The results demonstrated that a fast attenuation of H+, SO42−, and metal(loid)s happened as the effluent flowed through the waste-rock dump. The Fe, As, Ni, and Cu were distributed across all colloidal sizes and primarily transported in the nano-colloidal phase (3 kDa–0.1 μm). An increasing pH induced a higher percentage of large Fe colloid fractions (> 0.1 μm) associated with greater sequestration of trace metals, and the values for As from 39.5 % to 54.4 %, Ni from 40.8 % to 75.7 %, and Cu from 43.7 % to 56.0 %, respectively. The Fe-bearing colloids in AMD upstream (pH ≤ 3.0) were primarily composed of Fe–O–S and Fe–O–C with minor Al–Si–O and Ca–O–S, while in less acidic and alkaline sections (pH ≥ 4.1), they were composed of Fe–O with minor Ca–O–S. The iron colloid agglomerates associated with As, Ni, and Cu precipitated coupling the transformation of jarosite, and schwertmannite to ferrihydrite, goethite, and gypsum. These results demonstrate that the formation and transformation of Fe-bearing colloids response to this unique geochemical gradient help to understand the natural metal(loid)s attenuation along the coal waste dump.

Influence of the Graphene Oxide on the Pore-Throat Connection of Cement Waste Rock Backfill.

The pore-throat characteristics significantly affect the consolidated properties, such as the mechanical and permeability-related performance of the cementitious composites. By virtue of the nucleation and pore-infilling effects, graphene oxide (GO) has been proven as a great additive in reinforcing cement-based materials. However, the quantitative characterization reports of GO on the pore-throat connection are limited. This study applied advanced metal intrusion and backscattered electron (BSE) microscopy scanning technology to investigate the pore-throat connection characteristics of the cement waste rock backfill (CWRB) specimens before and after GO modification. The results show that the microscopic pore structure of CWRB is significantly improved by the GO nanosheets, manifested by a decrease in the total porosity up to 31.2%. With the assistance of the GO, the transfer among internal pores is from large equivalent pore size distribution to small equivalent pore size distribution. The fitting relationship between strength enhancement and pore reinforcement efficiency under different pore-throat characteristics reveals that the 1.70 μm pore-throat owns the highest correlation in the CWRB specimens, implying apply GO nanosheets to optimizing the pore-throat under this interval is most efficient. Overall, this research broadens our understanding of the pore-throat connection characteristics of CWRB and stimulates the potential application of GO in enhancing the mechanical properties and microstructure of CWRB.

Mathematical modelling of waste rock management through incorporating open-pit waste rocks in underground stope filling: An environmental approach

Reducing the footprint of waste rock dumping would result in cost savings and mitigate the environmental impacts of mining. This study develops a mixed integer programming model for waste rock management, aimed at identifying the optimal dump location among surface waste dumps and underground stopes. The model generates an optimal waste rock dumping schedule and proposes the best destination, with the objectives of minimizing the total cost of waste rock hauling and maximizing the supply of filling materials for backfilling underground stopes from the waste rocks. By applying the model to a real metal mine, a total cost reduction of approximately 14% was accomplished by utilizing open-pit waste rocks as underground filling materials, replacing alternative sources. Sensitivity analysis approved that supplying the filling materials from waste rocks was a priority, which resulted in a reduction of 3,750,000 tonnes of dumping waste rocks on the surface and a significant reduction of the waste dump environmental footprint. The model not only improves the economics of mining operations but also mitigates the environmental impacts of open-pit waste rock dumping by using waste rocks for backfilling underground stopes instead of supplying materials from outside the mine.

Thermodynamic Justification of Obtaining Ferroalloy from a Mixture of Chrysotile-Asbestos Waste and Carbonaceous Rock

The results of research on the thermodynamic prediction of obtaining ferroalloys with the reduction and distillation of magnesium from a mixture of chrysotile-asbestos waste produced by Kostanay Minerals JSC and carbonaceous rock are presented. The research was carried out by thermodynamic modelling methods using the HSC-6.0 Chemistry software package of the Finnish metallurgical company Outokumpu based on the principle of the Gibbs minimum energy and a rotatable second-order plan (the Box-Hunter plan). Based on the conducted studies on the distribution of Si, Al, Mg between the condensed and gas phases, it was found that the formation of ferrosilicoaluminum of the FS45A10 brand with a content of 7.5-10.1% Al and 42.5-44% Si occurs in the presence of 25-25.9% iron at 1959-2000°C; ferrosilicon of the FS45 brand with a content of 41.0-44.4% Si and &lt; 2.5% Al is formed in the temperature range of 1800-1877°C in the presence of 25.4-35% iron. In addition to branded ferrosilicon and ferrosilicoaluminum, it is possible to obtain Fe-Si-Al ligatures containing 2.5-10.1% Al and 41.0-44.7% Si from a mixture of chrysotile-asbestos production wastes and carbonaceous rock. In the presence of 25

Geochemical and mineralogical aspects of acid mine drainage associated with 100 years of coal mining in the arctic, Svalbard (78°N)

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a pressing issue due to increasing mining activities in arctic climate zones. Over 100 years of coal mining in Svalbard presents an ideal study case for the development of AMD in arctic regions.The mined coal (low liptinite type oil prone coal) has less than 1.1 wt% sulphur with micro inclusions of pyrite but the contacting silt and sandstones contain pyrite nodules of centimeter size. These forms of pyrite are left to oxidize on multiple large waste rock piles. Simple accounting of the acid producing and neutralizing potential reveals that all studied lithologies are prone to produce acid waters despite a relatively low pyrite content but with an almost absent neutralization potential.During spring and summer, there are small streams draining the waste rock piles with a pH of 2.5 to 3.7, buffered by an iron hydroxide assemblage. The sulphate concentration of the water samples correlates well with the sum of the cations, indicating that pyrite oxidation is the dominant weathering process. There is no correlation between the age of the waste rock piles and the acidity of the effluents and the system might be controlled by the geometry of the waste rock piles combined with the local hydrology.Mass balance calculations for one of the mine sites estimates that AMD will continue for another 150 years. The sole operating mine site to date is likely to face a similar prospect once lime buffering measures seize.

Geochemical and mineralogical characterization of mine tailings at the Rautuvaara mine site and aspects to environmental conditions and resource potential

Mining industry generates a significant amount of waste including waste rock and tailings. The disposal of mine tailings has environmental impacts, such as the releasing of heavy metals to surface and underground waters. Therefore, adequate rehabilitation of mining waste storage facilities is essential. Abandoned tailings ponds may contain significant amounts of valuable minerals, including critical raw materials, and offer opportunities as secondary mineral resources. In this study geochemical and mineralogical characterization were made for the diverse mine tailings of the Rautuvaara tailings pond which was the final disposal site for different ore deposits. The samples were collected from two different locations in the tailings pond, preconcentrated and analysed with several methods including PSA, XRD, FE-SEM, EPMA, pXRF, WD-XRF and AAS. The geochemical results indicate substantially elevated Cu, As, Ni and Zn concentrations in the tailings. Mineralogical investigations revealed that the tailings contain valuable minerals such as gold, cobaltite, and W-bearing rutile. The last could be used as an indicator mineral in tailings classification and possibly also in future ore exploration. The study of secondary mineralogy revealed that the most weathered top layers of the tailings show secondary alteration rims on the surfaces of mineral particles, and the enrichment of As and Ni in the Fe- and Mn-oxide minerals.

A Comprehensive dataset for Australian mine production 1799 to 2021

Given that metals, minerals and energy resources extracted through mining are fundamental to human society, it follows that accurate data describing mine production are equally important. Although there are often national statistical sources, this typically includes data for metals (e.g., gold), minerals (e.g., iron ore) or energy resources (e.g., coal). No such study has ever compiled a national mine production data set which includes basic mining data such as ore processed, grades, extracted products (e.g., metals, concentrates, saleable ore) and waste rock. These data are crucial for geological assessments of mineable resources, environmental impacts, material flows (including losses during mining, smelting-refining, use and disposal or recycling) as well as facilitating more quantitative assessments of critical mineral potential (including possible extraction from tailings and/or waste rock left by mining). This data set achieves these needs for Australia, providing a world-first and comprehensive review of a national mining industry and an exemplar of what can be achieved for other countries with mining industry sectors.

Cemented waste rock backfill enhancement via fly ash-graphene oxide hybrid under different particle size distribution

Cemented waste rock backfill (CWRB) is an important composite in supporting technology for safe and green production in mining. However, the mechanical performance of CWRB is highly correlated to cement consumption. This study utilized industrial graphene oxide (GO) and fly ash (FA) to create a high-performance, low-cost, and environment-friendly material for backfill. The results show that the GO-FA hybrid improves the microstructural matrix of hydrated cement by generating nucleation effects that refine the microstructure to a denser state and promote pore-filling effects that form barriers at pore throat junctions. This significantly reinforced the compressive strength (up to 53.6%) of the CWRB specimens. The reinforcing efficiency is more pronounced when using fine particle size distributions due to the lack of skeleton effect of gangue aggregates. By monitoring the acoustic emission and analyzing fractal properties, it can be further revealed that GO improves the integrity of CWRB material during loading. Compared to traditional backfill materials, the study found that 0.008 wt% industrial GO can assist FA to lower the consumption of cement by over 20% and improve the engineering properties by 2.6–53.6% at the same time. This research further proves that GO is promising for CWRB composites reinforcement and solid waste recycling.

Thermal plasma processing of high temperature insulation wools

High temperature insulation wool (HTIW) wastes, generated in large volume as a part of demolition and construction processes, are difficult to recycle and pose significant hazards to health and environment. Alkaline earth silicate wools (AESW) and alumino silicate wools (ASW) are the two major types. Typical constituents include silica and oxides of Ca, Al and Mg etc. in varying ratios, giving rise to their specific colours and inherited thermo-physical properties. Successful mitigation and reuse of such wools have not been explored enough. Possibly for the first time, the study makes an extensive investigation on air plasma mitigation of four most commonly used HTIW, namely, fresh rock wool, waste rock wool, waste stone wool and waste ceramic wool. This is a single step dry process. Use of freely available ambient air to generate plasma, extremely high enthalpy, presence of nascent atomic and ionic species and extremely high temperature make the process fast, efficient, economic and unique one to convert such wastes into valorised product. While the thermal field delivered by an air plasma torch has been derived from magneto-hydrodynamic simulation, the study makes a direct in-situ investigation of the evolution of thermal field in the melting zone using two colour pyrometer, and characterises the vitreous solidified end product using X-diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis, Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy and Neutron Activation Analysis. Possible valorisation and use of the end product have been discussed in light of their observed elemental composition.

Control of surface deformation and overburden movement in coal mine area by an innovative roadway cemented paste backfilling method using mining waste

Caving mining method could lead to massive waste rocks hauled to surface while leaving a large void in underground. This would eventually result in the surface subsidence and damage to the environment and surface infrastructures. In this study, we proposed three different backfilling methodologies to minimise the surface subsidence being 1) 100 % mining and 100 % backfilling (method 1); 2) leaving one slice of coal between two backfilled slices (method 2) and 3) leaving one slice of coal between one backfilled slice (method 3). The backfilling materials are made of waste rock, fly ash and cement and the optimal ratio has been found through the test program designed based on the orthogonal experiment design method. The strength of the backfilling paste is 3.22 MPa at the axial strain 0.033. The mine scale numerical simulation has also been conducted and it was concluded that the method 1 would lead to 0.098 m roof deformation in underground roadway whereas the method 2 and method 3 only induced a roof deformation around 32.7 % and 17.3 % of that induced by the method 1, respectively. All three methodologies have been approved to minimise the roof deformation and disturbance to the rock by mining operations. At last, the surface subsidence has been scientifically evaluated based on the probability integration method of surface movement. It indicated that the surface subsidence, horizontal movement, inclined movement and curvature of rock surrounding the panel void were all below the minimum value required by regulation. This confirmed that the selected backfilling mining is able to ensure the integrity of the surface infrastructures. This technology provides a new way to control the surface subsidence caused by coal mining.