Course: Geoecology
Practice 7. Definition of the technospheric impact on the environment (as an
example of coal mining)
Theoretical part
Coal Mine Operations
Exploration
Coal reserves are defined for mining by conducting drilling programs for coal
quality sampling and geotechnical assessment. All holes are geophysically logged
to assist in stratigraphic correlation and geotechnical evaluation. Coal cores are
analysed for a wide range of characteristics including chemical composition and
expected physical behaviour in utilisation processes.
The main chemical tests are for specific energy, ash, moisture, volatiles, sulphur
and carbon content. Ash fusion and grindability are important tests for power
station applications. Databases of this information are maintained by geologists so
that modelling of these parameters can be undertaken.
Mine Planning
Mine planning is an essential part of successfully designing and operating a mine.
A considerable amount of expenditure and information is required to define a coal
deposit, design the mine, then extract and prepare the coal for the customer.
The mine operations have conceptual plans for nearly 30 years and detailed plans
covering periods of 5-15 years, where the detail is sufficient to allow planning of
overburden removal and coal haulage.
The basic data comes from the geological model of the mine. To build a geological
model, the geologist collates, analyses and interprets all the exploration drilling
information. Once mining has commenced, in-pit mapping and coal quality
monitoring is used to regularly refine these models.
The geologists use the Vulcan modelling system and the result is a set of threedimensional (3D) computer models and plans of coal seam structure (position in
the ground), coal quality, roof and floor materials, interburden lithological types
and chemistry, coal and interburden thickness (isopachs) and structural features
such as faults and folds.
Each seam has a different set of distinguishing features. These include thickness,
quality, partings or plies, roof and floor characteristics and its relationships to the
surrounding seams. These attributes are used by the Coal Quality Geologist when
assessing the suitability and sequencing of mining a seam. The main quality
parameters used on a daily basis are moisture, ash, Hardgrove Grindability Index,
sulphur and specific energy.
The quality data and structural models are used by Mining Engineers to design the
mine and schedule production. The pits are divided into “blocks” to aid design and
reporting. The coal quality information is averaged over a block, initially on an in
situ basis.
Production Phase
The mining process begins with clearing of vegetation, topsoil removal and
stockpiling, followed by laterite removal and stockpiling. Vegetation removal
involves harvesting of any commercial forest products. Any useful firewood
remaining is then collected by mining personnel. Remnants of no use are bulldozed
into windrows and burnt. Topsoil removal is a critical process as this material is
used in rehabilitation of the mine back to local native vegetation. Laterite also
plays a vital role in the mine as it is a prime commodity for road building.
Once the area is cleared, overburden removal can then commence. The exposed
coal seams are cleaned with dozers and graders before being mined using hydraulic
excavators (in backhoe configuration). Thicker coal seams commonly require
blasting prior to mining to maintain productivity rates, but thinner coal can be
ripped with dozers to avoid blasting. In some cases, coal is “free dug” by the
excavators.
The coal is hauled to the coal handling plant using the same truck fleet as used for
“dirt” removal. Processing involves crushing and sizing prior to blending on
stockpiles. The coal product is delivered to coal-fired power stations. Deliveries to
customers occur by rail or truck using the train load-out system.
(Source: http://www.premiercoal.com.au/Operations/Mine_Operations.aspx#)
Practical task
1. Define the main objects of the technosphe as an example of coal mining.
2. Make a table of the impact according to the Table 1.
Class and subclass of
effect
Type of effect
Effect results
Potential
effect
….
…
…
…
source
of
Table 1. Classification of technological impact on the geological environment (Korolev V.A., 1985)
2
Compaction
Mechanical effect
Actual effect
1
Type of effect
Type of effect
3
Static
Vibrocompaction
Roller compaction
Tamping
Explosion compaction
Decompaction
Basic load
Dynamic load
Inner massive
fragmentation
Drilling
Grinding
Trimming
Detaching
Spading and shovelling
Explosive rupture
Ploughing up and cultivation
Relief
accumulation
Waste pile dumping
Discard dumps
Banking
Dam making
Geologic
environment
elements PGIVRD
Variety of
effect
4
5
PGI
PGI
PGI
PGI
PGI
GI
GI
GI
GI
GI
GI
PGI
GI
P
I
I
I
I
D
D
RD
RD
D
R
RD
RD
RD
RD
Relief planning Constructive and road planning
Reclamation
Slope terracing
PGI RD
PGI RD
G RD
Relief erosion
PGI RD
PGI RD
G RD
PIR
Dint forming
Channeling and trenching
Slope facing
Formation of subsidence trough
Stand on the following grounds: 1. Time: constant and temporary; 2. Size: point,
linear, areal, volume; 3. Location: ground, underground; 4. Reversibility: reversible,
irreversible; 5. Goals: spontaneous, goal-seeking; 6. Intensity: low, medium, high
Class and
subclass
of effect
Effect results, unit
of measure
Potential source of effect
6
Pressure, mPa
Amplitude and
frequency, hz
Specific energy,
watts per square
meter
7
Building, construction
Vibro- machine
Motor transport, rollers
Subway
Explosions
The same
Mines, cavities
Fore shaft, explosions
Depth of SKV
Work, capacity,
specific energy,
watts per square
meter
Bore wells
Cutter-loaders
Mine roadways
Open-cut mining, open-cast
Mines, stonedrifts
Explosions
Agronomic activity
Coefficient of
variation, specific
energy, watts per
square meter
Mines
TPS, HES, SDPP
Concerns
Construction
The same
Construction
Recultivated sites
Amelioration sites
The same
Open-cut mining, open-cast
Fore shaft, wormholes
Road construction
Mines
Hydrodynamic
effect
Thermal effect
Electromagnetic effect
Actual effect
Hydromechanical
effect
1
Type of effect
Type of effect
Geologic environment
elements PGIVRD
2
Relief hydroaccumulation
3
Dam hydraulic fill
IVRD
Hydraulic deposition of gold
IVRD
dump
IVRD
Hydraulic deposition of bourocks
and solid masses
Relief hydroerosion
Hydraulic washing-out of solid
masses
Sag- underwashing
GIVRD
PGIVRD
Pressure rising
Discharge pumping, injection
Saturation
Irrigation
V
GIV
PGIV D
Pressure decreasing Unwatering
Dewatering
Desaturation
Heating
Conductive (until 100 degrees)
Convection (until 100 degrees)
Firing ( more than 100 degrees)
Melting
Heat hardening
Biochemical
V
PGIV D
PGIV D
PGIV
PGIV RD
GI
GI
GI
PGIV
Cooling
Conductive
Convection
Freezing
GIV
GIV
PGIV RD
Spontaneous
Electric field inducing
PGI
Goal-seeking
Electrical machining
Electrosmosis
Electrolysis
Electrical silicatization
GI
PGIV
GIV
GI
4
Variety of effect
Effect results, unit of
measure
Potential source of effect
5
6
7
Stand on the following grounds: 1. Time: constant and temporary; 2. Size: point, linear,
areal, volume; 3. Location: ground, underground; 4. Reversibility: reversible, irreversible; 5.
Goals: spontaneous, goal-seeking; 6. Intensity: low, medium, high
Class and
subclass of
effect
The same
Construction
TPS, HES
Tailing dump
Sludge storage pits
The same
Open-cut mining, open-cast
Diggers
Water pumping,
underground desalinization
Changes in source
Pumping
pressure, level and
Blowing, industrial wastewater
humidity
Agricultural watering, hydroSpecific energy, watts amelioration
per square meter
The same
Drawing
Amelioration sites
Temperature,
Blastfurnaces, TPS, APS, HEW,
horizontal temperature SDPP, hot shops
gradient
Underground melting of sulphur,
gasification
Deg/m
Amelioration technical sites
Specific energy, watts SDW landfills
per square meter
The same
Coolers
Pumping
Amelioration technical sites
Intensity, V/sm
Density, A/m
Electric train lines
Subway
Tramway, trolley and electric lines
The same
Amelioration technical sites
Class and
subclass of
effect
Type of effect
Physico-chemical
effect
1
2
Hydrate
Colmation
Leaching
Ion-exchange
Biological
effect
Chemical effect
Pollution
Geologic
environment
elements
PGIVRD
Type of effect
3
Capillary condensation
Dehydrotation
Physical
Physico-chemical
Straight
Diffuse
Solonized
Ion-exchange
Phenolic, chlorophenolic
Nitrate
Pesticide
Herbicide
Heavy metals
Hydrocarbonaceous
Acid
Alkali
Salting
4
PGIV
PGIV
PGI
PGI
GIV
GIV
PGI
PGI
PGIV
Treatment
Neutralization
Desalinization
Dilution
PGIV
PGIV
PGIV
PGIV
PGIV
PGIV
PGIV
PGIV
PGIV
PGIV
PGIV
Massif stabilization
Cementaion
Silicification
Bituminous grouting
Resinification
Liming and others
GI
GI
GI
GI
GI
Pollution
Bacteriological
Microbiological
PGIV
PGIV
Treatment
Sterilization
PGIV
Variety of effect
5
The same as in
physical effect
Effect results, unit of
measure
6
Moisture gradient
Colmatation volume, m3
The same
The same by the
type of
microorganisms
Potential source of effect
7
Asphalt coat
Drainage systems
Amelioration technical sites
Specific energy, watts per
square meter
Exchange capacity
Leaching sites
Pollutant concentration,
MPC excess, volumetric
rate of masstransfer
Chemical plants, farms, animal
farming, refuse storages,
agriculture, transport, emissions,
gas-station, acid rains, oil
storages, runoffs
The same
Land amelioration
Volume, m3
Amelioration technical sites
MPC excess, specific
transfer speed
SDW landfills, farms, bins,
sewerage
The same
Objects of treatment
Land amelioration