Technologies of Preventing Coal Mine Water Hazards for Sustainable Development in North China

As hydrogeological conditions of coal field in North China are complicated, coal mine water hazards have been occurring frequently. Nearly 80% of coal mines are affected by Ordovician and Permo-Carboniferous Karst water. According to rough statistics, 200 incidents of water inrush have occurred since 1950, 1,500 persons have died, and there is an economic loss of 3 billion Yuan (RMB). The climate of North China belongs to drought or semi-drought zone. So the recharge amount of ground water by infiltration of precipitation is limited. Stronger coal mine water drainage has brought a series of environmental problems, such as water resource and lots of famous Karst springs exhausted, surface collapse emerged, mine water contaminated. Coal mine water hazards are so serious that the economic benefit of coal mines is dropping. Sustainable development of coal mines is affected. So, preventing coal mine water hazards and protecting geological environment are essential. This thesis focuses on preventing coal mine water hazards technologies. The technologies include four aspects: exploration of hydrogeological conditions; prediction and forecast of water inrush; mining under safe water pressure; and sealing off groundwater by grouting.