Coal seam mapping by underground in-seam seismic surveys

Abstract Surface geophysical methods and drilling still fail to locate all the geological features which may disrupt longwall mining. The applications for in-seam seismic surveying in Australian coal mines are therefore similar to those reported elsewhere. The in-seam seismic surveys allow more of the geological anomalies to be identified. Australian coal seam waveguides are thick and do not often support an Airy phase. Reflection mapping has to be based on dispersed waveforms and pulse recompression is important. The availability of surface boreholes allows the extension of the surveying to a face-to-borehole methodology. The development of retreat longwall panels allows tomographic experimentation aimed at detecting washouts and other features within a panel.