Deficiencies in 2D Simulation: A Comparative Study of 2D Versus 3D Simulation of Multi-seam Longwall Mining

The reliable prediction and management of mining-induced surface subsidence is one of the environmentally challenging issues for the coal mining industry. Because coal mining companies operate under strict environmental accountability, the absence of robust and reliable analysis tools may signicantly affect the industrys ability to gain approval and licenses when signicant surface subsidence issues are involved. This issue becomes even more critical in multi-seam mining conditions, where high-stress concentration and large amounts of surface subsidence are expected to generate during multi-seam mining, hence could affect the feasibility and safety of all seams being mined. To obtain mining approval, it is, therefore, imperative to understand the geomechanical effect of mining in one seam on the mining of the underlying/overlying seams, and to accurately predict the magnitude and prole of surface subsidence.