Application Of Seismic Refraction Survey To Delineate The Extent Of Hard Cover Over Under

Ground Coal Mine Workings: Some Case Studies

A.K.Das, S.K.Gupta and N.P.Srivastava
Exploration Division CMPDI, Ranchi, India
ABSTRACT
Precise estimate and knowledge of hard rock cover thickness over the shallow coal seam workings in under
ground coal mines is of prime concern for careful planning and layout access opening for efficient mining
activities and safety measures. The technique of seismic refraction survey was identified and introduced in some
shallow under ground coal mining areas of Indian coal fields for the determination of seismic velocities of
subsurface layers with respective thickness which in turn correlated with compactness of the formation. The
seismic refraction method yields velocity values as part of the interpretation and data can provide nearly
continuous depth to bedrock profiles in a cost effective manner and estimate the compactness of the formation.
The accurate determination of seismic velocities is important in engineering consideration since the velocity is
controlled by the fundamental parameters of elastic strength and density. This paper reviews practical aspects of
seismic refraction survey technique to determine the hard rock cover thickness over shallow coal mine workings
with the intent of defining conditions where the technique can be expected to produce useful results. The
method applied with similar objective to different mining areas of Coal India and the results found to be very
encouraging. Results of some of this investigation are presented to illustrate the vital role of Geophysical
mapping by seismic refraction technique for the actual stage of mine construction and for future exploitation.

Introduction
The geological discontinuities in the roof rock mass above underground coal mine workings play
significant role in triggering roof collapse and subsidence. It is necessary to design underground mine
workings in situation where practically no subsidence is desired on the surface or at any level above the
seam. Mining selected for exploitation is determined mainly by the characteristics of overlying
geological deposits and the limits imposed by the mining authority. In present day shallow U/G coal
mining practice in India follow the statutory requirement for extending the mine workings to the up dip
side where 15 meter hard rock cover above the coal seam is present. DGMS recommends that areas
with hard cover less than 7.5 m. should not be developed. Where hard cover is more than 7.5 m. but
less than 15 m., width of galleries may be restricted to 3.0 / 3.6m.Thus mine regulation itself impose
restrictions on development in coal mining owing to the safety aspect of the mine. Violation of this
recommendation invites legal complications besides endangering the safety of the mines. Therefore
there is need to precise estimate and knowledge of hard rock cover thickness over the coal seam
workings in U/G mines. The technique of seismic refraction survey was identified and introduced and
the efficacy

of this technique in the Indian coal mining environment has been tested.
The seismic refraction method enables determination of seismic velocity of subsurface layers with
thickness which in turn can be correlated with compaction of formation. The accurate determination of
seismic velocities of subsurface formation is important in engineering consideration since the velocity
is controlled by the fundamental parameters of elastic strength and density and they directly correlate
with the material hardness and / or amount of fracturing. In normal seismic refraction method only the
compressional wave velocities are determined. The measured velocities may be evaluated qualitatively
in terms of the degree of weathering and fracturing of the known rock type, or an approximate
empirical relation with rock strength may be sought. The desired formula is
Vp = [ {Y (1-)}/{ (1+ )(1-2 )}] , where Vp = Compressional velocity, Y = Youngs modulus,
p = density of the material and = Poissons ratio.
Methodology
Seismic refraction survey was conducted in various coalfields of coal India mainly in Kamptee,
Raniganj & Karanpura coalfields to measure compressional wave velocities as an aid in the evaluation
of compactness of the subsurface over shallow mine workings. Data were acquired along various
profile lines. The 24 channel refraction seismic data were acquired with a signal enhancement
seismograph. Geophone intervals of 10 m. and a 10 kg sledgehammer / explosive source were used
with impacts made at various distances, offset and along the seismic profile. The geophones located on
straight line, relative elevations were surveyed. The seismic data were stacked (for hammer source).
For each source point the data were recorded. The quality of the seismic data was excellent and easily
identifiable first breaks were present. The refraction seismic data were processed and interpreted using
SIP set of computer programs from Rimrock Geophysics Inc. Colarodo. The first arrivals on seismic
records were picked and corrected for elevation differences after fixing an arbitrary datum. Time
distance plot were then prepared and analyzed using Intercept & Delay time techniques and thickness
of different subsurface layers were calculated depending upon different seismic velocities which in turn
gave idea regarding compactness of formation. The inferred depths of different layers are then plotted
in the form of depth sections.
Case studies
1. Saoner Mine-III
The area under investigation of Saoner mine III lies in Kamptee Coal fields on Nagpur Chhindwara
Road at a distance of 40 Km. from Nagpur. In order to delineate 15 m. hard cover over seam IV M, the
most potential of the five coal seams encountered in Kamptee coal field, five Seismic profiles namely
A-A, B-B, C-C, D-D and E-E were laid down as shown in figure-1. Out of the five profiles E-E

was taken along the strike of the seam and rest of the four traverses was taken along the dip across the
incrop of the seam IV M.
On the basis of seismic refraction interpretation three distinct subsurface layers were identified along
the five profiles depending upon velocity contrast. The top most inferred as weathered layer of varying
thickness 3 to 10.6 m. with velocity ranges from 340 to 495 m/s. The second layer considered as sub
weathered varies in thickness between 7.7 and 23.6 m. with velocity varying from 1100 to 1965 m/s.
The bottom layer inferred as compact formation shows a velocity variation from 2385 to 2600 m/s. The
subsurface layers along with coal seam have been depicted in figure 2 to 5. The disposition of coal
seam shown in the sections have been plotted considering borehole data, spot level, formation dip and
parting of the seam. On different traverses where thickness of 15 m. hard cover over roof of seam IV M
is encountered were marked. Figure 1 shows a line L-L depicting 15 m. hard cover line which
establishes the boundary of the mine in up dip direction. The Sonic logging conducted in a borehole
falls in the study area and estimated elastic velocity in consolidated
sandstone was found to be 2540 m/s at depth range 40 to 50 m. from surface.
2. Sirka Underground mine
The area of investigation, Sirka lies at a distance of 10 Km from Ramgarh town on Ramgarh-Giddi
Road and is situated in the eastern part of South Karanpura Coalfield surrounded by metamorphic in
the north and south. The Damodar river lies in the western and southern part of the block. Objective of
the seismic refraction survey was to delineate 15 m. hard rock cover over Nakari seam, occurring in the
Sirka U/G mine (Panel B) for getting approval of DGMS for depillaring the up dip side of the mine.
Seismic Refraction survey were carried out along the three profile lines as shown in figure 6. Spot level
of
Nakari seam at various locations from U/G mine plan helped to arrive at the reduced level of top of
Nakari seam in the area. Three distinct subsurface layers were identified along all the three profiles on
the basis of velocity contrast calculated by intercept / delay time technique of seismic refraction survey.
Layer 1 is weathered formation having velocity ranging from 400 to 500 m/s. with a thickness of 1.3 to
7.2 m. Second layer is comprised of semi compact formation and has a velocity of 1450 to 1900 m/s.
and of thickness 1.4 to 2.1 m. Layer three with a velocity of 2000 to 2700 m/s. appears to be compact
formation. Line L-L drawn on the surface plan of panel B demarcates the 15 m. hard cover over Nakari
seam. The disposition of coal seam and various subsurface layers have been shown in the depth
sections along two profile lines along dip ( figure 7 & 8).

3. Saoner Under ground mine 1

Seismic Refraction survey was carried out for the determination of hard rock cover over seam IV(M)
along the proposed panel at Saoner U/G mine 1 for depillaring the up dip side of the mine. The area of
investigation falls in the Saoner phase 1 block in Nagpur district of Maharashtra ( Topo sheet No.
55K/15). Seam IV(M) under consideration is the most important seam in the block as its thickness
varies from 3.57 to 8.53 m. The investigation was carried out in two adjacent palels E9 and E10 of
Saoner U/G mine 1 ( figure 9). In all six seismic traverses were conducted along three profile lines AA, B-B & C-C each of 230 m. length. The Geophones were kept at 10 m. interval. Reduced level
were taken at every picket station for making necessary correction to the travel times. Conventional
five point shooting was adopted for seismic refraction survey. Traverse wise subsurface information
and corresponding depth sections are shown in figure 10 & 11.The analysis of seismic refraction data
shows that three sub surface layers could be distinctly mapped based on their seismic velocity. Topmost
formation inferred as weathered layer has a variation in velocity ranging from 520 to 745 m/s and its
thickness from 1.9 to 8.4 m. The seismic velocity and thickness of the second layer deciphered as sub
weathered layer varies from 1800 to 2100 m/s and from 12.4 to 29.5 m. respectively. The seismic
velocity of the bottom layer inferred as hard formation varies from 2350 to 2700 m/s. Line L-L drawn
on the surface plan demarcates the 15 m. hard cover over
seam IV(M).

Conclusions
This technique has found increasing use for shallow subsurface exploration for engineering sites. The
result obtained by applying this method is found to be encouraging. It can be concluded that seismic
refraction survey can be applied with confidence for subsurface characterization over shallow coal
mine workings and should therefore help to optimize drilling programme. The seismic velocities
determined by this method will help in guiding the rock strength. Project experience with seismic
refraction methodology demonstrates that the target depth needs to be favorable and the required length
of the traverse to acquire deep images is often limited. The depth of investigation is based on source to
receiver distances, the overall length of the receiver array, and surrounding ambient noise. Based on 10
m. geophone receiver spacing, typically survey depths average appx. 70 to 80 m. for 24 channel arrays.
The method is therefore usually most effective for mine subsidence application in U/G mine as well as
studying rip ability characteristics.

References
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