Overview of surface water hazards in China coalmines

Among all recorded water disasters in China coalmines, 10% can be attributed to surface water, making it one of the top water hazards. Based on the analysis of cases of surface water hazards in China coalmines, this article determined surface water sources and inrush conduits as the major factors that have caused water inrush disasters in mines, and classified surface water hazards in China coalmines into 15 types according to those major factors and gave definitions of each type of surface water hazard. Then, it is proposed that there are different types of surface water hazards in different coal-bearing regions by analyzing the relationship to terrain features, climatic impact and mining conditions. Finally, we discuss how typical water sources and inrush conduits work together in hazard formation, in addition to the characteristics and corresponding preventative technologies. The propositions can be of reference for exchanges with other mining countries and regions on surface water hazard treatment.