Surface Subsidence Over Longwall Panels in the Western United States: Monitoring Program and Final Results at the Price River Coal Co. No. 3 Mine, Utah

摘要

As part of its mine subsidence research program, the Bureau of Mines and the American Electric Power Co. cooperated on a study, conducted at the Price River Coal Co. No. 3 Mine, directed toward developing the capability to estimate the surface subsidence resulting from longwall mining in a geologic, topographic, and mining environment common to coalfields in the Western United States. Subsidence was monitored at the No. 3 Mine over two adjacent longwall panels. The subsidence study area was reduced when the two planned panels were reduced in length because of equipment failure and a mine fire. Subsidence was measured for 21 months. Subsidence continued for 6 months after mining had been completed. A maximum of 2.2 ft. of subsidence occurred over the two longwall panels mined at an over-burden depth ranging from 800 to 1,500 ft.