Subsidence due to underground mining in the Collie Basin

Summary

Prior to MERIWA Project M165, the subsidence characteristics of the Collie Basin sediments had been researched by principal researcher Mr I Misich on behalf of Wesfarmers Coal (WCL – formerly Western Collieries Limited – as part of his PhD thesis.

Through this earlier program of investigation a comprehensive subsidence database was established, from which empirical models were developed for the prediction of surface and subsurface subsidence in the Collie Coalfields.

Following continuing assessment of this earlier work, it was evident that there was room for improvement of these empirical models, particularly above narrow and irregularly shaped extraction panels.

This Project was set up as a program of further investigation to improve on the earlier subsidence prediction and management models.

Keywords: Collie Basin, subsidence management, underground mining, coal