HoRG :   Dr. Satyendra Kumar Singh

ABOUT :

Please put your geotechnical problems aside for us. This research group is here to provide solutions after making you understand the science behind the conceptual approach in each case with savour. The group has 8 Group-IV scientists (5 PhDs and 3 M. Techs), who have been proving their mantle not only in problem-solving after due understanding of the assorted geotechnical problems, but are also involved in training, knowledge-dissemination related to Feasible mining methods; Rock mechanics & Ground control; Caving & Rib mechanics; Subsidence engineering; Strata evaluation & management with the help of geotechnical instruments; Numerical simulation of mine workings & Support design. The scientists are assisted by 2 well-qualified and experienced Group-III staff and 2 diligent and ready-to-work Group-I staff. The group exude confidence in solving geotechnical problems encountered by the mine operators on a targeted time-frame. As a usual practice, comprehensive understanding of the mining-related problem(s) is first undertaken after visit(s) to the study-site and discussion with the mine operators/ the officers concerned about the research approach in each case along with the impacts of the proposed study and likely benefits to the industry as a whole and the mine in particular.

Two sections, namely, (a) Mining Methods and (b) Mine Design Simulation, are well-ensconced in this research group. 

Mandate

a.       Feasibility study and on-site implementations of various coal mining methods, including high-production ones e.g. with deployment of continuous miners (CM) and accessories.

b.      Design of supports-natural (ribs/sills, pillars/remnants etc.) as well as artificial (roof bolts, mobile supports and other conventional supports), especially during underground extraction and subsequent validation with emphasis on underground coal mining.

c.       Aspects of Rock mechanics, Subsidence & Mining engineering, Caving & Rib mechanics and Ground control, including their impact-assessments on methods of mining and requisite modifications.

d.      Design of pillars and arrays of pillars for different mining methods including chain-pillars/barrier pillars design for sectionalization, subsidence control or other purposes.

e.       Study and advice related to strata evaluation and management for better safety and ground control outcomes.

f.       R&D back-up for safe production and enhanced recovery, especially below important sub-surface (overlying goaves, developed workings, water-bodies, aquifers) and surface properties (human settlements, forest land, Aerotropolis etc.) without any adverse subsidence-related impacts on them.

g.      Stability analysis of an underground mining excavation with the help of empirical and numerical modelling approaches.

h.      Inter-disciplinary and/or collaborative approach in dealing with geo-technical issues related to a mining proposition, sometimes inter-institutional and trans-disciplinary in nature.

i.        Retrospective analysis of various mine-accidents, as done in past assisting the constituted enquiry committee.

j.        Skill development and knowledge dissemination with special emphasis on monitoring and analysis of strata control parameters and strata management in high-production method of mining e.g. with deployment of continuous miner and accessories during development and extraction.

Important achievements

The technical reports (about 200 in numbers) related to externally-funded projects and also some notables (out of total: 10 no.) Grant-in-aid projects mentioned below could help in generating a new ideas/methods of mining and/or support for better ground control, safety, coal recovery and production and therefore cited/referred by the mine operators, the inspectorates, the trainers and academician extensively.

1.      A comprehensive approach for a coal or non-coal deposits, consists of field-observations, laboratory and site evaluation for physico-mechanical properties of parametric analysis, numerical modelling and engineering judgements with an aim to `zero in’ on a viable, safe and feasible mining methodology and support design based on stability-analysis in each case.

2.      The design-approaches, (predictive) formulations and safe-limits were developed by the department are being gainfully used by a mine-operators, experts, inspectorates (Directorate General of Mines Safety) and academia. Most of the studies were implemented, depending on the production programme by the mine operators and then subsequently validation made by the department regarding methods of development, extraction and support in different (many times complex) geo-mining situations  and stability analysis for better safety & economy

3.      It was possible to extract coal safely below surface and sub-surface properties like buildings, forest, water-bodies, aquifers, waterlogged workings/ goaves etc. These important properties could be protected, as well as the extraction/recovery of coal belowground was optimized/ maximized in definite term.

4.      In underground coal mining, the increasing width and/or height of gallery were implemented with mass production technology using continuous miner and accessories, for example, Jhanjra colliery, ECL the first such application in Ranigunj coalfields (RCF) and also at many locales in SECL, WCL, e.g. at Vijay West, Haldibari, Churcha at SECL; Tandsi & Kumbharkhani at WCL; Sarpi at ECL. The mine could set a production record in India.

Completed Grant-in-Aid Projects (GAP)

(i)     Development of support guidelines for depillaring panels in Indian coal mines

(ii)   Development of suitable subsidence prediction model for multi-seam working

(iii) Development of suitable subsidence prediction model for single seam working in SECL, taking into consideration about the anomalous subsidence behavior found during earlier GAP “Subsidence subsidence in Mining Areas”.

(iv) Stability of parting between coal pillar workings in level contiguous seam during depillaring

Note: All the above 5 projects are funded by Ministry of Coal S & T Grant, Govt. of India

(v)   Caving mechanics and related geo-technical issues associated with coal extraction beneath massive roof strata, the HoRG as one of the Principal Investigator, included two underground case-studies validation with instrumentations in Australia with relevance to Indian Mining Situations: funded by Australian Research Council (ARC) -Strategic partnership with Industry Research and Training (SPIRT) and as a part of Ph.D. research programme at University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.

(vi) Goaf encroachment in working areas, Australia- a project from Joint Coal Board, Australia, the HoRG as one of the Principal Investigator, included the first application of bolted-breakerlines in an Australian mines- now being designed by the members of the section and implemented at Indian mine-sites.

Mandate

Projects Related with Coal Mines:

1. Design of CM panels, its extraction pattern with support system and strata monitoring

2. Design of development and depillaring including strata monitoring of caving panels of CIL/SCCL/SAIL/TISCO and private mines.

3. Design of development and depillaring for steeply inclined mines with caving for CIL/SCCL/SAIL/TISCO and private mines.

4. Design of partial extraction methods to protect the surface and sub surface structures / properties without stowing.

5. Shaft pillar design for coal mines.

6. 2D & 3D Numerical modeling for design of mining methods, stability assessment and support design of coal mines.

Projects Related with Metalliferous Mines

1. 2D & 3D Numerical modeling for design of mining methods, stability assessment and support design Metalliferous mines.

2. All types of underground rock mechanics problems for Metalliferous mines (HZL, Vedanta, HCL, MOIL, UCIL, Chromite mines, Mica Mines, etc) related to:

1. Design and stability assessment of shaft and decline.
2. Design of support system for decline and other drivages used for mining purposes.
3. Design and stability analysis of crown pillar, sill pillar, rib pillars, stope back.
4. Design of various stoping methods with paste fill, CRF (Cemented Rock Fill) and RF under different geo-mining conditions.
5. Design of mining methods below open pit in metalliferous mines.
6. Ground Control Management Plan and Geotechnical monitoring of metalliferous mines.

Important achievements

1. Development of "Pillar strength equation for underground coal mines",  "Area of main fall prediction equation" during depillaring of Bord & Pillar workings under Indian Geo-mining condition.

1. Development of "Rock failure criteria for stability analysis of rock mass"

1. Development of "Guidelines for support design at the depillaring faces in developed Bord & Pillar workings in Indian Coal Mines".

1. Development of "Guidelines for designing of support system for parting stability between contiguous seam workings during development and depillaring in Indian Coal Mines".

1. Development of "Pillar strength equation in the presence of non-coal bands in coal seams for underground coal mines "

1. Design of special method of mining such as "Goaf Pillar Method of Mining", "Non-effective Width Method of Mining", and "Wide Stall Method of Mining" for Bord & Pillar workings below surface or sub- surface structures.

1.  "Pillar design and extraction methodology for Multi-seam Workings and Steeply Incline coal mines".

1. Expertise in the design of extraction methodology for developed/virgin  "Bord & Pillar Workings" in underground coal mines using "Mass Production Technology" such as Continuous Miner Technology, Shortwall Mining and Blasting Gallery Method.