Physical modeling the formation of roof collapse zones in Vorkuta coal mines
Collapse of the roof during mining is a constant threat to the lives of miners and equipment
performance. To predict it, different numerical and physical approaches are used. Physical modeling
of the massif region from -951 m to -841 m using equivalent materials were undertaken in this
investigation. Various options for mining the Vorkuta coal deposit were considered: mining only
the upper industrial seam, mining the lower coal seam as a protective layer to the upper one, and
assessing the impact on the collapse zone of the complex structure of the upper coal seam roof
while maintaining an upward order of mining. The main results were as follows: calculated collapse
zone is approximately 30% larger than theoretical; collapse zone decreased when using mining
with lower protective coal seam; the largest collapse zone was observed when pinching the rocks in
upward mining order. Therefore, the research has shown the need to adjust the project for a larger
methane yield. Further large-scale modeling is needed for understanding the characteristics of the
collapse zone.
