The independently developed Cavity Disposal and Utilization Method in Open-pit Coal Mines, created by China Shenhua’s Hongshaquan No. 1 Open-pit Coal Mine, has recently been granted a national invention patent.
In the Zhundong region, shallow coal seams are subject to spontaneous combustion, which can lead to the formation of underground localized cavities. These cavities not only compromise rock mass stability and increase the risk of slope failure but also accumulate significant volumes of infiltrated water, creating potential water-inrush hazards. Traditional treatment methods have proven inadequate due to low drainage efficiency, protracted construction timelines, and an inability to effectively conserve and utilize the collected water resources.
This patented innovation introduces a five-step integrated disposal framework comprising boundary sealing, segmented isolation, filling and displacement, barrier migration control, and flexible pumping. When coupled with graded support pillars, zoned water storage, and dynamic circulation filling techniques, this system effectively mitigates the safety risks of slope landslides and water inrushes in mining areas. The method distributes construction costs, lowers remediation expenditures, converts accumulated cavity water into a dependable water source for the mining operation, and achieves integrated management encompassing cavity surrounding rock reinforcement, zoned water storage, and on-demand water extraction. This approach supports the advancement of safe, green, and low-carbon mining practices.
