Prediction of inflow from overlying aquifers into coalmines: a case study in Jinggezhuang Coalmine, Kailuan, China

Aquifers overlying coal seams are common water sources in coalmines. The unexpected inflow of water can flood mines and threatens the mine safety. Mine flooding caused by the overlying aquifers has occurred more frequently in recent years in China. Proposed in this paper is a new method that involves three basic maps and two predictions to tackle this geo-hazard. This new approach is based on the water abundance in the overlying aquifer and risk analysis of the roof collapse. It couples groundwater flow models with rock mechanics analysis. The method was successfully applied to prediction of the water intrusion from the overlying aquifer at Jinggezhuang Coalmine in Kailuan, China. The areas with high risk of water intrusion were delineated. Visual Modflow (version 2.61) was used to simulate the inflows at two active working faces. The developed approach can predict the total inflow for a working face and the transient inflow as the working face advances.