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| Geophysical Void Detection Demonstration Projects |
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Abandoned mines present a number of critical safety issues with respect to active mining operations as well as surface facilities at mines. A number of Void Detection Demonstration Projects were sponsored by MSHA in order to evaluate the ability of existing and emerging technologies to assist mine operators in locating abandoned mines to reduce risk to miners and the public. The material below is the culmination of the program to explore the viability of using geophysical methods for locating mine voids. Since this is probably the first coordinated effort to systematically examine these various methods for this application, additional work remains. The projects met with varying degrees of success. Clearly, when applied under the correct conditions, geophysical techniques can provide valuable information which can assist in assessing a variety of site conditions, including the presence and location of abandoned underground mines. It is also clear that while they can effectively supplement a well designed and executed drilling program and assist in determining appropriate drilling locations, geophysical techniques can not substitute for drilling. A common element of all projects was that each of the projects required interpretation of the data by experienced geophysicists and all contained a degree of uncertainty and an element of professional judgment. The reports were prepared by the individual contractors. MSHA does not endorse or advocate use of any particular geophysical methods, and clearly no single method can be used under all circumstances. Nonetheless, MSHA hopes that the information contained herein is useful to the industry when they are considering both the benefits and limitations of using geophysical methods to identify and locate abandoned mines, and that this heightened awareness and continued development of modern geophysical techniques ultimately improves the safety of our Nation's miners.
Reports:
For any technical questions, please contact George H. Gardner, MSHA Technical Support, Mine Waste and Geotechnical Engineering Division. As some of the files above are rather large and could take some time to download, you may want to order the CD version of material found on this page. To order a copy of the CD, please contact George H. Gardner, MSHA Technical Support, Mine Waste and Geotechnical Engineering Division.
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