Our ongoing analysis of underground mining data has yielded revolutionary insights into the relationship between mining activities and earthquake triggers. Dr. Mojtaba Rajabi from the University of Queensland’s School of Environment is spearheading research on the Bowen Basin. This region produces almost 70% of Australia’s coal, and the research is all done from afar. The updated findings from the World Stress Map, released this week, indicate that understanding stress patterns in the Earth’s crust can significantly improve safety measures in mining operations.
The newest World Stress Map features well over 100,000 stress data records. That’s almost two times the data as compared to our last update in 2016! This decade-long initiative has consistently drawn upon data from seismology centres, the energy and resources sector, and civil engineering projects globally. The new data provides an interesting look at the stress that builds up within the Earth’s crust as a result of underground mining operations. This is particularly apparent in Queensland’s Bowen Basin.
Implications for Mining Safety
According to Dr. Rajabi, the new map will allow researchers to recognize fragile zones that might induce earthquakes, which is its key purpose. He pointed out that mining practices need to change based on what is learned so that both workers’ safety and public security can be ensured.
“Understanding stress helps us prevent these man-made shakes,” – Dr. Rajabi
Mining health and safety representative Jason Hill echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of prioritizing the well-being of mining workers. “It’s vital to understand what we’re doing and make sure when we’re mining, we don’t put our coal miners at unacceptable levels of risk, but the public,” he stated.
Hill is confident that this new information can help enhance coal mines’ strata control strategies to a significant degree. These strategies keep the ground still and working underground while the mining processes go on. He’s looking to see these research findings taken seriously by mining operators and integrated into their discovery protocols.
Unique Stress Patterns in Australia
Impacts on miners
Underlying stress patterns in Australia’s underground are markedly different to those on other continents, as explained by Dr Rajabi. He explained that tectonic forces originating from plates east of Australia interact with local geological conditions in unique ways, redirecting stress across the region.
“The direction of the tectonic force coming from the plates east of Australia change dramatically, and when these forces interact with local geological conditions they redirect stress in different ways,” – Dr. Rajabi
This complexity results in dramatic differences in the safest drilling and excavation angles. These discrepancies can happen even across the same state, county, or city. These types of understanding are critically important for reducing hazards to those working in underground mines.
The Role of Mining Practices
Our new discoveries emphasize that anthropogenic activities can trigger earthquakes. Dr. Rajabi cautioned that if drilling or injecting fluids in the wrong places, that could upset the balance underground and cause earthquakes.
“Digging, drilling or injecting fluids in the wrong spot can tip the underground balance and induce a seismic event,” – Dr. Rajabi
Mining operations are taking over the Bowen Basin and more at an explosive rate. In this business climate, companies need to tune in to these alerts and warnings like never before. Jason Hill reinforced this call to action, stating, “The most important thing now is the companies actually take a look at [the report] and use it to ensure that they are achieving an acceptable level of risk.”
