Deformations of Mining Terrain Caused by the Partial Exploitation in the Aspect of Measurements and Numerical Modeling

The article presents the results of geodetic measurements and numerical modeling of mining area deformations in the partial exploitation area of the 712/1-2 seam at the Marcel Coal Mine. An important element in this exploitation is the limitation of the length of longwalls with cavings to 130 m and 150 m, leaving an unextracted 70 m wide coal solid belt between them. Leaving the belts aimed to reduce deformations of the mining terrain, with relatively limited deposit losses. The numerical modeling of mining terrain deformations was performed using the Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua (FLAC) software package based on the finite difference method. The results of the geodetic measurements and computer simulations presented in the article confirm the assumption adopted during the planning stage of this exploitation about the possible significant reduction of mining terrain deformations caused by leaving the unextracted belts of coal solid between successive longwall panels.