Mechanisms behind strong strata behaviour in high longwall mining face-ends under shallow covers

Safe and efficient mining of shallow coal seams relies on the understanding and effective control of strata behaviour. Field measurements, theoretical analysis and numerical simulations are presented in this study to investigate the mechanism behind abnormal strata behaviour, such as roof collapse and severe roadway deformation, that occurs in high longwall face-ends under shallow cover. We observed that coal pillars with two sides being mined out become unstable when the cover depth exceeds a certain value. The instability of the coal pillar can alter the fracture line of the overlying strata, triggering a reversed rotation of the 'curved triangle blocks' that form after the breakage of the overlying main roof. The revolving blocks apply stress on the roof strata directly above the longwall face-end, resulting in roof collapse. The collapse of both the coal pillars and the roof also leads to the advancement and increase of the overlying abutment pressure, which further causes severe roadway deformation in front of the working face. The strong strata behaviour that occurs in high longwall face-ends with shallow cover is presented in this study and countermeasures are proposed, such as widening or strengthening the coal pillar, or implementing destress blasting. The countermeasures we proposed and the results of our analyses may facilitate the safe mining of shallow coal seams with similar problems in the future, and may improve the safety and efficient working of coal mines.