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The purpose of this paper is to establish a strain prediction model of mining overburden deformation, to predict the strain in the subsequent mining stage. In this way, the mining area can be divided into zones with different degrees of risk, and the prevention measures can be taken for the areas predicted to have large deformation.

A similar-material model was built by geological and mining conditions of Zhangzhuang Coal Mine. The evolution characteristics of overburden strain were studied by using the distributed optical fiber sensing (DOFS) technology and the predictive model about overburden deformation was established by applying machine learning. The modeling method of the predictive model based on the similar-material model test was summarized. Finally, this method was applied to engineering.

The strain value predicted by the proposed model was compared with the actual measured value and the accuracy is as high as 97%, which proves that it is feasible to combine DOFS technology with machine learning and introduce it into overburden deformation prediction. When this method was applied to engineering, it also showed good performance.

This paper helps to promote the application of machine learning in the geosciences and mining engineering. It provides a new way to solve similar problems.

This study aims to clarify the evolution law of stress field and fracture field during the mining process of inclined coal seam, to prevent the occurrence of roof burst water and impact ground pressure accident during the advancing process of working face.

The evolution law of stress-fracture field under different mining conditions of inclined coal seam was studied by using discrete element method and similar material simulation method.

The overburden stress at the lower end of the coal seam was mainly transmitted to the deep rock mass on the left side, and the overburden stress at the upper end was mainly transmitted to the floor direction. With the increase of the inclined length of the mining coal seam, the development of the fracture zone gradually evolves from the “irregular arch” form to the “transversely developed trapezoid” form. The development range of the fracture zone was always in the internal area of the stress concentration shell.

An original element of this paper is based on the condition that the dip angle of coal seam is 35°, and the evolution law of overburden stress-fracture field during the excavation of coal seam with different lengths was analyzed by UDEC numerical simulation software. The coupling relationship between stress shell and fracture field was proposed, and the development range of fracture zone was determined by stress. The value of this paper is to provide technical support and practical basis for the safety production of a mine working face.

Sustainability is a major challenge for India’s (Bharat’s) coal mining industry. The government has prioritized sustainable growth in the coal mining industry. It is putting forth multifaceted economic, environmental and social efforts to accomplish the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This research aims to identify the factors for sustainable improvements in coal mining operations. Secondly, this study examines the intensity of causal relations among the factors. Thirdly, this study examines whether causal relations exist among the factors to be considered for sustainable improvement in coal mining operations. Lastly, the study aims to understand how the factors ensure sustainable improvement in coal mining operations.

An integrated three-phase methodology was applied to identify the critical factors related to coal mining and explore the contextual relationships among the identified factors. Fifteen critical factors were selected based on the Delphi technique. Subsequently, the fifteen factors were analyzed to determine the contextual and causal relationships using the total interpretive structural modelling (TISM) and DEMATEL methods.

The study identified “Extraction of Coal and Overburden” as the leading factor for sustainable improvement in coal mining operations, because it directly or indirectly influences the overall mining operation, environmental impact and resource utilization. Hence, strict control measures are necessary in “Extraction of Coal and Overburden” to ensure sustainable coal mining. Conversely, “Health Impact” is the lagging factor as it has very low or no impact on the system. Therefore, it requires fewer control mechanisms. Nevertheless, control measures for the remaining factors must be decided on a priority basis.

The proposed structural model can serve as a framework for enhancing sustainability in India’s (Bharat’s) coal mining operations. This framework can also be applied to other developing nations with similar sustainability concerns, providing valuable guidance for sustainable operations.

The current study highlights the significance of logical links and dependencies between several parameters essential to coal mining sustainability. Furthermore, it leads to the development of a well-defined control sequence that identifies the causal linkages between numerous components needed to achieve real progress towards sustainability.

In order to study the laws of surface subsidence due to mining coal under thick alluvium of Quandian mine, two survey lines were designed on the surface above the first face. By analyzing the position of the maximum subsidence point of the tendency survey line, the zenith angle was obtained, and the correctness of taking bedrock thickness instead of average mining depth to design the position of the trend survey line in the mining area was confirmed; and based on the analyses of the measured data, the critical size of the gob full opening in the geological and mining conditions didn't follow the general law that the gob would reach the critical size when the panel has moved for a distance of 1.2H₀ - 1.4H₀. These results showed that the bedrock played a major role in the spread of whole overburden subsidence in the geological and mining conditions, while the loose layer had less affection. In addition, based on the analyses of the measured data, some rock movement parameters and probability integral prediction parameters of the surface subsidence of Quandian mine in the geological and mining conditions have been obtained. The study would have some important theoretical significance and practical guidance for implementing mining beneath buildings, water bodies and railways and prevent of this coal field as well as surface structure damage control.

This paper aims to propose a deployment optimization and efficient synchronous acquisition method for compressive stress sensors used by stress distribution law research based on the genetic algorithm and numerical simulations. The authors established a new method of collecting the mining compressive stress-strain distribution data to address the problem of the number of sensors and to optimize the sensor locations in physical similarity simulations to improve the efficiency and accuracy of data collection.

First, numerical simulations were used to obtain the compressive stress distribution curve under specific mining conditions. Second, by comparing the mean square error between a fitted curve and simulation data for different numbers of sensors, a genetic algorithm was used to optimize the three-dimensional (3D) spatial deployment of sensors. Third, the authors designed an efficient synchronous acquisition module to allow distributed sensors to achieve synchronous and efficient acquisition of hundreds of data points through a built-in on-board database and a synchronous sampling communication structure.

The sensor deployment scheme was established through the genetic algorithm, A synchronous and selective data acquisition method was established for reduced the amount of sensor data required under synchronous acquisition and improved the system acquisition efficiency. The authors obtained a 3D compressive stress distribution when the advancement was 200 m on a large-scale 3D physical similarity simulation platform.

The proposed method provides a new optimization method for sensor deployment in physical similarity simulations, which improves the efficiency and accuracy of system data acquisition, providing accurate acquisition data for experimental data analysis.

The most costly part in an open-pit mine is the transportation of material out of the mine. The efficiency of the truck-and-shovel fleet plays a major role in cost control. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

The truck dispatching simulation model with consideration of age-based maintenance is proposed.

This paper underlines an impact of truck dispatching decisions and reveals remarkable differences in the total production under different approaches of operational availability. Additionally, the simulated results introduce an effective scheduled maintenance for different truck age levels.

The approach is based on a case study taking into account the stochastic equipment behavior and environment in a real open-pit mine. This approach can be used more generally in situations in which truck fleets are used to transport material.

Purpose – To review the performance and growth of mining industry in India against current global vision and trend of the industrial growth internationally. Also, to evolve the strategic policy for evaluating Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme initiatives taken by the Indian mining industry at large as well as the impacts thereof, with special reference to affected and most vulnerable mining belts in India.Design/methodology/approach – An attempt has been made in the chapter to have a holistic sectoral review of the overall performance of the mining industry in India for the past one decade, as well as its claimed impact on improvement of ecological quality and socio-economic growth in the mining belts. The chapter reviews the state of the impact of ‘CSR’ initiatives and programmes on environment as well as the mining community in terms of stakeholders’ involvement and protection of rights in developing socio-economic business equity. The chapter also critically analyses the policy dimensions – including mining industry's operational framework, which can attribute towards developing future strategy for sustainable development of the mining industry at large, through evolving a series of reform processes, adequately backed up by innovative CSR policy and programme initiatives, together with well-defined implementation, monitoring, evaluation strategies and standards.Findings – The mining industries in India have a huge potential for growth to support the other industries for which bulk of the raw materials are derived from this industrial segment. Several research and developmental studies conducted by different organisations spread across the globe have convincingly been able to link the prospect of industrial growth and long-term sustainability with the stakeholders’ participatory and proactive roles along with those of the industry for holistic and integrated socio-economic development of the mining areas. This has been possible through careful designing of the CSR programmes and initiatives by several mining companies in India (with varying degree of success and failures) with close monitoring and performance evaluation of the impact of the programmes in ecological, economical and sustainability terms against certain pre-designed standards. Such standards – as they are constantly evolving – should inter alia include ethical and transparency dimensions to ensure total involvement of the local community in the mining-affected areas. Proper compensation mechanisms and socio-economic growth of the mining community will not only improve productivity, but will also take care of ecological and economic safeguard of the mined coal blocks that are highly vulnerable to ecological degradation and economic exploitation. As for future strategy for sustainable industrial growth of the mining industry in India, there should be constant monitoring and evaluation of the various provisions of the various Acts related to mining, minerals, metals, energy, power, environment, etc. that are constantly under review and reforms processes with a view to guiding the future strategy. International co-operation in the mining sector will go a long way for sustainable growth and development of the mining industry in India for boosting the economic growth of the country.Research limitations/implications – Future research on the theme should focus on identification of replicable and sustainable model of CSR practices in the mining industry by developing illustrative business models on the basis of global experiences. Sustainability reporting and identification of better qualitative as well as quantitative parameters, tools and techniques to study the impact of CSR practices on the socio-economic growth of the affected mining community should be the focus of future research.Social implications – The findings (serving as messages) of this piece of research will certainly have an impact on society. This in turn, will, hopefully influence public attitudes, and by implications, it will also influence (corporate) social responsibility or environmental issues.Originality/value of the chapter – The chapter is innovative and, among other things, addresses some of recently reported burning issues affecting the interests of the mining industry on one hand, and the national economy of the affected countries on the other.

Geophysical methods are widely applied for the prognostication of natural and technogeneous risks. Especially effective is their application in the sphere of engineering geology and the ore exploration industry. The effectiveness of geophysical methods is convincingly illustrated by the concrete results obtained in studies, performed to solve specific problems. This paper presents an overview of methods and studies in the field of natural and technogeneous risks by the application of geophysical surveying. In a case study focusing on opencast coal exploration in the area of Maritza‐East, the usefulness of geophysical methods in mapping the hard rock inclusions in the overburden of the lignite mines is outlined. The possibilities of using such technologies for guiding the process and the reduction of technogeneous risks during exploration are outlined.