Formation mechanism of a disastrous groundwater inrush occurred at the Xinjing coal mine in Datong, Shanxi province, China

On May 18, 2006, a disastrous groundwater inrush occurred at the Xinjing coal mine in Datong, Shanxi province, China. Great effort was taken during the post-accident rescue. However, triggered by the accumulated water rushed from the nearby abandoned tunnels and goafs of the Yanzishan coal mine, which had been closed for tens of years, it caused great damage, including 56 deaths and direct economic loss of over 53 million yuan. The outburst groundwater was from the abandoned goafs in the No.14-1 coal seam of the neighbour Yanzishan coal mine. The passage formed in northeast part of the mining area in the No. 14-1 coal seam. The average inflow rate was 23,333.3 m 3 /h. Unidentified spatial distribution and water-filled degree of the abandoned tunnels and goafs of the Yanzishan coal mine are critical contributions to the accident. Illegal mining in the No.14-1 coal seam is an anthropogenic contribution. That mandatory regulations for excessive groundwater exploration and release were not carried out in the mining is the third fatal cause leading to the accident. Finally, the poor awareness on water inrush recognition and control of the miners also induced the accident to a disastrous extent.