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STRATA MANAGEMENT CYCLE IN

UNDERGROUND COAL MINE
Article September 2016

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1 author:
Abinash Swain
National Institute of Technology Rourkela
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Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Developing Risk Map w.r.t Strata Management and figuring out Causes of Failure Trend for
effective changes in Strata Support Mechanism. View project

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Retrieved on: 14 November 2016

Strata Management Planning in

Underground Coal mines for
geologically disturbed conditions and
Organization of Strata Control Cell

A part of Course:
Mine Planning (MN 401)
Date- 20th September, 2016

Submitted by- Abinash Swain

B.Tech Mining Engineering Final Year, NIT Rourkela
Guided by- Prof. S Jayanthu, NIT Rourkela

Introduction:
In underground coal mines, hazards are more related to strata control. Roof and side falls are the
major hazards in underground bord and pillar mining method in India. The statistics show that
about 61% of underground accidents are due to roof and side fall, accounting for 22% of total
fatalities (DGMS Annual report, 2007). Also it is found that Strata Control related hazards are
more predominant near 10 m from working face. Due to lack of scientific support system and
proper Systematic Support Rule (SSR), the condition is worsened.
We can rarely see a separate Strata Management department acting in Indian mining scenario.
Similarly there is no Trigger Action Response Plan (TARP) available for efficient strata
management like Ventilation related issues. Now-a-days number of strata monitoring
instruments are used in many mines in India. But lack of manpower, trained professionals for
implementing and managing modern strata monitoring instruments add to the woe. Even if we
implement some instruments, still collecting data on a regular basis and carrying out research
using those data is rare. As ground condition is different in different mines, hence utilizing the
recovered data for optimizing excavation method in native conditions is of paramount
importance. Similarly, involvement of Company officials in R & D works is also essential to get
familiar with the mining conditions and its behavior taking help from institutions and other
Research organizations.
Study of Failure Trend also plays a vital role to understand the root cause of failure, so that we
can take adequate steps to modify our designs or plans to get best result and increase safety. A
proper Risk Map should be designed and updated on a regular basis along with Trigger Action
Response Plan (TARP) for ensuring maximum safety relating to Strata management.
Strata Control related failure gives rise to many short term and long term problems to the
administration. Precious human lives are lost due to roof fall, side fall or pillar crushing. Expensive
machineries are destroyed and by that heavy loss is to be taken care of. Whole planning is
disturbed, and inside reserve may get blocked for further development or depillaring. Hence, it
is necessary to make proper scientific Support system design, Strata Management Plan along with
TARP, Risk Map and trend study on regular basis, implementation of modern Instrumentation
and data analysis, Proper training to all company workers related to new technologies and safety
etc. No doubt, underground is our future and Strata related management is of greater
importance as far as both Safety and productivity are concerned. Obviously this issue cant be
compromised and we have to invest from now onwards taking both scientific and managerial
aspects in to consideration so as to be more efficient and beneficial in future.
Hence, Organization of a Strata Control Cell is of paramount importance. We should make sure
of the fact that no worries will come during strategic failure of strata during depillaring and nofailure during development. Hence the cell should take care of all the aspects related to strata
control all the time.

Stages of Strata Management and Strata Management Cycle:

Stages of strata management can be shown as a cyclic process as shown in the diagram above. It
consists of mainly three stages:

Pre-Failure Management
Failure-time/Real time Management
Post failure Management

Pre-Failure Management plays a vital role for overall safety of mine, efficient productivity and
sustainability of Strata. It comprises of processes like: Planning, Support System design or
development of Systematic Support Rule (SSR). First of all Scientific analysis is carried out for
design of Support system to be used by comprehensive study of the lithology, strata condition,
mining method and life of road way. Taking Rock Mass Rating (RMR) as a base parameter Rock
Load is estimated on the roadways. Similarly supports to be used are designed so as to provide
adequate Factor of Safety (FOS). Generally for underground coal mines, FOS of 2 or greater than
it is considered to be safe. With increase in the focus on Stowing instead of caving, we need our

galleries to stand for a longer period and not to fail anytime. So during planning we can ensure a
better FOS that we have been planning for Caving Operation.
Next comes the Real-time monitoring of Strata Condition. In this second stage, first of all we have
to ensure whether our SSR or planned Support system is being properly implemented or not.
Hence SSR implementation Survey plays a great role to avoid accidents due to negligence. If some
problem is there in implementation of the plan, then first we have to modify and enforce it to be
implemented. Second part of the second stage is the real time monitoring of strata condition and
behavior. As mining is always uncertain, and as we are going against the nature, we cant always
guarantee our estimation to come as 100% accurate. Presence of geological disturbed conditions
and discontinuities worsen the activities to a larger extent. So even after proper implementation
of our SSR, then also falls happen. So we cant avoid it, but can take precautions to avoid
accidents to save precious human lives and machineries. Hence monitoring of Strata condition
and behavior is important. That is done by using modern strata monitoring devices.
Strata and support behavior monitoring is required very much now a days. With advancement in
science and technology, use of strata monitoring devices is an urgent need for each mine. Various
monitoring devices can be installed for determining strata convergence, stress value etc. So that
we can take steps or precautions in advance to save precious human lives and machineries. Some
of the instruments used are:

Mechanical convergence reader

Dual height Tell-tales (DHTT)

Triple Height Tell-tales (THTT)

Rotary Tell-tales (RTT)

Auto-warning Tell-tales (AWTT)

Stress Cells

Stress Capsules

Instrumented Bolts etc.

There are so many advantages and disadvantages associated with all these monitoring devices.
In tell-tales, Dual height tell-tales gives convergence readings in immediate roof and above
bolting horizons. In these, taking readings is difficult, as they are fitted on the roof. Hence rotary
and auto-warning tell-tales are being used, but they are expensive. Similarly some instrumented
bolts can be installed along with normal bolts which can be used both for supporting as well as
monitoring purpose. 10% of the bolts can be used as so. Tell-tales give convergence reading in
mm. convergences in ranges (0-25) mm, (25-50) mm, (50-75) mm are shown as Green, Yellow
and Red zones respectively. These readings dynamically can be used for making Strata Risk Map
and TARP understanding the strata behavior accordingly.

Fig.1 Different Strata monitoring instruments

Fig.2 Typical Instruments for Strata Monitoring [Jayanthu et al 2008]

Similarly, real time strata monitoring can be done by advanced Remote Monitoring System by
using remote reading Tell-tale and electronic transponders. So many transponders can be
connected in series can produce real time strata convergence readings. Those data can be sent
to the surface by cable networks and from the surface computer we can know the strata behavior
inside the mine. So that real time instant precautions and actions can be taken to avoid accidents.
Nearly 400 transponders are connected by Golder Associates in UK and results are inspiring for
future applications of this advanced strata monitoring system.

Fig. 3 Remote Strata monitoring system (Golder Associates, UK)

After installation of the monitoring devices, collection and analysis of obtained data is also
important. As ground behavior is different at different locations, hence it is vital to analyze the
convergence data. We can determine our strategic points for further installation of monitoring
devices. Hence management of Monitoring devices consists of:

Selection of Monitoring devices

Selection of Strategic Points for installation
Analysis of convergence data

With the current style of working, there is a overlapping of responsibilities among officials for
various activities. Hence, we can rarely see a separate body or cell working with prime focus on
strata control management. So, there is a urgent need of Strata Management Cell (SMC) to
reduce risk of loss of lives and smooth mining activities. Formation of a SMC is advocated by Dr.
S Jayanthu (2003), former scientist, CIMFR.

Also we need a Trigger Action Response Plan (TARP) and Risk Map analysis for proper
management of strata. In the DGMS S & T circular, dated: 2/4/2016 titled Integrated Approach
for development of Safety management in coal mines it is advised to develop, improve and
update risk based rescue management plan, Trigger Action plans to establish specific trigger
points.

Strata Management Cell (SMC)/Strata Control Cell and TARP:

This Shows the Structure of a Strata Management Cell. Solid Blue lines show permanent long
term members of a SMC. Dotted lines show officials who can act as parralel members in absence
of a proper SMC for short-term benefits. In the right side, there is a Level of Action indication,
which gives rise to the design of a trigger based response plan for strata management operations.
Trigger Action Response Plan gives us an idea about real time action by different layers of the
SMC according to certain Trigger levels. Thse Trigger levels can be classified in to Four categories.

Green Zone
Yellow Zone
Orange Zone
Red Zone

From Level of Action indication it is obvious that for Red zone trigger, Action will start from Level1, i.e Head of the colliery till the end. Similarly for an Orange Zone trigger, Action will begin from
Level-2 of the SMC and so on. A green zone is the condition of no trigger. Now, we will understand
the detailed inputs that can be considered for various trigger levels and respective Actions by
different Levels of SMC.

Input Parameters taken for Trigger Levels:

Base parameter- Dynamic readings from Strata Monitoring instruments (Tell tale,
convergence reader etc.)
Visual inspection of roof/side/pillar condition
SSR implementation survey
Geological parameters
Location of water seepage points

Green Zone Trigger and Action:

Yellow Zone Trigger and Action:

Orange Zone Trigger and Action:

Red Zone Trigger and Action:

Duties and Responsibilities of Strata Control Cell:

Design and update of Trigger Action Response Plan (TARP)

Developing Action Plans according to various Trigger Level
Procurement and management of various Supports
Design and Update of Systematic Support Rule (SSR) for each sectional working
Installation and management of Monitoring Devices at Strategic Points
Database maintenance of Monitoring Devices readings
Actions according to Digitalised TARP and manual investigation
Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment related to Strata Management
SSR Implementation Analysis
Monitoring Devices (remote, manual) Performance Study and Changes
Preparing Strata Management Report on regular basis
Periodic Third party (R & D organisations, Consultants ) investigation
Training of Miners and officers on importance of Strata management

Post-Failure Management:
Similarly post failure management consists of activities like Survey of failure locations, mapping
of various risky zones in Strata Risk Map. By mapping of strata conditions, we can analyse the
trends in failure. Sothat we can modify those flaws in further planning of mining. For an example,
trend obtained from an upper seam workings can be used and modified for mining activity in
lower seam workings. Sothat we can strategise our methods, monitoring locations and support
system so as to get efficient and optimum results. In this way all the failure and real time actions
can be stored as a history in mapped condition, sothat it can prove helpful during planning of
further activities within seam or lower seam.

Conclusion:
In this way we can manage the whole strata operation by following a cycle. Each stage has a
larger role to play in ensuring safety to the mining fraternity. Development of a Strata Control
Cell is the need of this hour, as we are moving deeper and deeper to manage vulnerability of
strata. As overlapping of responsibilities and more focus on production and man-power
management is increasing, a separate cell for managing strata is necessary. Just like Ventilation
department is separately managed. Similarly proper real time monitoring of strata movement,
Trigger Action Response Plan and Risk-Map trend analysis is needed for efficient management of
Strata specially in a geologically disturbed underground coal mine.

References:

Jayanthu, S., Lakshminarayana, V., Singh, T.N. and Singh, D.P., Organization of strata
monitoring cell A vital requirement for all underground coal mines. The Indian Mining
and Engineering Journal. Volume 51, July 2012: pp. 23-31.
Maiti, J, and Khanzode, V.V., development of relative risk model for roof and side fall fatal
accidents in underground coal mines in India. Safety Science, 47 (2011): pp. 1068-1076
Khushwaha, A, Singh, S.K., Tewari, S. and Sinha, A., Empirical approach for designing of
support system in mechanized coal pillar mining. International Journal of Rock Mechanics
and Mining Sciences, 47 (2011): pp. 1063-1078.
Singh, R, Singh, A.K., Maiti, J, Mandal, P.K. and Kumar, R, An observational approach for
assessment of dynamic loading during underground coal pillar extraction. International
Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 48 (2011): pp.794-804.
Maiti, J., Mandal, P.K., Singh, R. and Kumar, B.M., Impact of stress redistribution on
stability of workings during depillaring. IE (1) Journal MN: pp. 10-22.
DGMS S & T Circular, 2016
DGMS Annual Report, 2007: pp. ii.