A Method and Engineering Practice for a Fully Mechanized Caving Coalface to Rapidly Pass Through a Large Fault

One of the technical problems that must be solved in coal mine production is when the coalface rapidly crosses the fault. Based on the occurrence characteristics of the F6 fault (maximum throw: 13.5 m) in the #3up1101 fully mechanized caving coalface at Gaozhuang Coal Mine, two different solutions allowing the coalface to pass through this fault were proposed, and the solution of pre-driven roadways with rock pillars was optimally determined. The main implementation steps of the method include designing the layout parameters of the pre-driven roadways, determining the width for rock pillars between the adjacent pre-driven roadways, construction of pre-driven roadways by smooth wall blasting, and controlling the surrounding rock deformation of the pre-driven roadways. The results of engineering practice show that it took only 23 days for this coalface to pass through fault F6, about one month shorter than the time required by traditional methods (e.g., proactively taking a detour). Moreover, this method helped achieve stable coal production (an 8.5 × 104 t increase), prevented much gangue from mixing with coal, reduced wear and tear on the mining equipment, and enhanced safety. The economic benefits delivered totaled about CNY 71.1 million. Therefore, this method can ensure continuous, safe, and efficient mining at the coalface, alleviating the tight situation of mine production succession. The results of this study can provide a good reference to help coalfaces rapidly move across faults under similar geological conditions in other mines.