Field Testing of the Methods for Prevention and Control of Coal and Gas Outburst – A Case Study in Poland

Abstract

Coal mining tends to face increasing stress and gas conditions when it extends to deeper levels. the mining-induced high stress and gas pressure concentrations often result in gasogeodynamic phenomena such as rock bursts and coal & gas outbursts. over the last decades, these gasogeodynamic events have been observed more often in the upper Silesian Coal basin, Poland. with the increasing mining depth, these hazards not only become a serious safety risk but also represent a significant challenge for coal mining. in order to eliminate future hazards and improve safety in underground coal mines, it is necessary to apply particular methods for the prevention and mitigation of possible hazards during mining operations. inaction or incorrect use of preventive measures may lead to gasogeodynamic events, which may result in accidents and material losses, thereby affecting the mine’s economic performance. Several coal mines operated by Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa S.A. (JSW group), such as Pniówek, Budryk and Zofiówka coal mines have been identified as the area most prone to rock bursts as well as coal and gas outburst. generally, the longwall panels often experience a high degree of these mining hazards. therefore, the main aim of this research is to examine and optimise the possibility of application of prevention methods in order to reduce the frequency and scale of dangerous gasogeodynamic phenomena such as coal and gas outburst. As a main part, the field testing of the selected preventive methods that were conducted in the JSw coal mines. based on the obtained results, the possibility of application of an optimal method for the prevention and control of coal and gas outburst in the geo-mining conditions of the JSw coal mines was discussed. the research results could be an example for other coal mines in mine planning and designing in the gasogeodynamic (coal and gas outburst) hazard-prone conditions