Early Stress Experiments Using Microseismicity in Underground Coals Mines

The use of seismicity for understanding the dynamics of fracturing during changes in the rock stress state has been ongoing for over 20 years in the mining industry. In particular for the last 15 years, seismicity data has been used in coal mining as a hazard or rock fall indicator during underground mining. This paper highlights the first trial of the use of seismicity in an underground coal mine in Australia and the first indicator that dynamic seismicity data can be used to track the onset of fracturing which may then be used to determine the rock stress state during dynamic loading and unloading conditions in an underground long-wall mine. The results of this case history assists the understanding of how seismicity can be used during production.