Abstract: Intelligent mine designs that integrate ESG principals are becoming essential in shaping the future of mining. The global demand for energy and the pace of change mean that coal extraction is likely to persist in the next few decades. Longwall mining, with its relative safety and potential to control seismicity impacts on critical structures, will remain an essential component of energy production while the transition to clean energies is in progress. While this method can lead to controlled and predictable ground subsidence, it also induces seismic events as the overlying rigid strata fail and collapse into the void left (gob) behind. Interestingly, however, decades of U.S. experience shows that a well-designed longwall extraction is generally associated with a lower likelihood of producing moderately large seismic events—typically those exceeding a magnitude of 2.6—compared to other forms of underground mining, such as room-and-pillar techniques or other human related activities such as solution mining and oil and gas operations.
The key to harnessing these benefits lies in the design and engineering of the mine layout including panel orientation, panel width, and pillar designs. A carefully planned layout can influence the pattern and intensity of stress redistribution, guiding the energy release in ways that minimize risk to both personnel and critical surface structures, complying with environmental and social standards. Four mature United States case studies incorporating geotechnical modeling, and monitoring systems are described to show the importance of intelligent mine layout designs in controlling seismicity when mining under stiff stratigraphic units in the western United States coal and evaporate deposits. This makes it possible to anticipate and manage seismic activity effectively.