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High-resolution 2D surface seismic reflection survey to detect abandoned old coal mine works to improve mine safety

GeoNano Technology Corporation, Katy, Texas, USA

Tim Miller

Sterling Mining Corporation, North Lima, Ohio, USA

Fred Ruev, Jr.

LM Gochioco and Associates, Donora, Pennsylvania, USA

Corresponding author: geophy6{at}hotmail.com

A serious coal mine accident in southwest Pennsylvania in July 2002 occurred when mining activity came too close to an old abandoned flooded mine. A high hydrostatic head and thin coal barrier caused a major water breakthrough and flooded the QueCreek Mine. Nine miners were trapped underground for nearly 77 hours before they could be safely rescued. This high-profile accident motivated the U.S. government to investigate and explore measures that could minimize similar accidents in the future. As a result, several groups from private companies and academia were funded to develop and demonstrate remote-sensing geophysical technologies that could detect old mine works. The focus of this study was to evaluate the potential of a high-resolution 2D surface seismic reflection survey to detect abandoned mine works near an active coal mine in Ohio.