Search Documents

By Douglas A. Blankenship, Randall G. Stickney

The corejacking test is a field test designed to measure the response of salt to known boundary conditions. A 1.0-m-diameter salt core is externally pressurized using curved flatjacks placed in the annulus surrounding the core. Time-dependent deformation of the salt is measured by monitoring the diametrical closure of an inner borehole. A finite element elastic analysis of the jack loading system has been performed. The purpose of this analysis was to determine if the original assumption of axisymmetric loading is correct. Six loading cases were investigated, each representing either hypothetical or previously encountered jack configurations.

Jan 1, 1982

By Joe L. Ratigan

INTRODUCTION Rock mechanics engineers are seldom concerned with obtaining the tensile or fracture strength of brittle rock at low mean stresses. The reason for this is two fold. Firstly, the behavior of many excavations in brittle rock is controlled by the inherent discontinuities in the rock mass. Because of the jointing and faulting, tensile strength is usually taken to be negligible. The second reason that tensile strength is seldom obtained in the laboratory is that the technology of utilizing this strength measure in design is undeveloped. Despite the fact that tensile strength of brittle rock is often ignored, there are a number of applications in rock mechanics wherein the knowledge of tensile strength is of fundamental importance. The apparent tensile strength must be known in a hydraulic fracture experiment if the state of in situ stress is to be determined from the initiation of the hydraulically induced fracture. In certain underground situations, the apparent tensile strength of intact rock beams defined by jointing or bedding planes is important in determining required rock bolting. Numerous other situations require a knowledge of apparent tensile strength including such high technology uses of underground space as geothermal energy extraction and LPG storage. Three observations are invariably made when intact rock samples are taken into the laboratory and tested to determine tensile strength. (1) The apparent tensile strength depends on the sample size (the 1 arger the specimen, the lower the tensile strength)

Jan 1, 1982

US 4,185,078-In the recovery of rhenium values from an aqueous sodium molybdate solution contained in the hydrometallurgical processing of roasted molybdenite, improved results are realized by using a described extractant consisting of a quaternary ammonium compound and benzene or other highly aromatic solvent which dissolves a quaternary ammonium-rhenium complex Essentially all rhenium is recovered from the solution and the extractant can be regenerated and recycled. This patent is a continuation-in-part of US Patent No. 4,049,771, dated Sept. 20, 1977. L R. Quatrini and M.B MacInnis, assigned to GTE Sylvania Inc. Jan 22, 1980. 6 pp (423-49). Flied. 7-19-78 (926,167).

Jan 1, 1982

By Ali M. Heidarieh Zadeh, Raghu N. Singh

The paper presents a stability investigation of shaft intersections and pit bottom roadways in the vicinity of upcast and downcast shafts at a colliery in the U.K. Aschemeof instrumentation was aimed at monitoring the strata displacement surrounding the pit bottom roadways and shaft intersections with a view to ascertaining the origin of the strata movement and effectiveness of the control measures. The bore- hole instrumentation results together with a theoretical analysis suggested that the cause of instability could be attributed to the drivage of a roadway within the shaft pillar. A semi-empirical technique was used to calculate the amount of support resistance required to reinforce the pillar to take additional abutment load. A rock bolting system was designed to provide a required increase in thrust capacity of the roadway support. The results indicated that roadway closure was effectively controlled after installation of bolts indicating efficacy of the control measures adopted.

Jan 1, 1982

By Malcolm J. McPherson, Michael Hood

Sunnyside Mines, owned and operated by the Kaiser Steel Corporation, are situated near the city of Price, Utah. The complex comprises three adjacent mines, named simply Nos. 1, 2 and 3, all connected underground. Two seams, the upper and lower Sunnyside have been worked. These dip at about 10 percent to the north-east. The surface cover is variable due to the mountainous nature of the topography. The Sunnyside upper seam varies from 5 1/2 ft (1.7m) to 9 ft (2.7m) In thickness whilst the lower seam remains at about 6ft (1.8m). The separation between the two seams has ranged from 7 to 45 ft over the mined area (2 to 14m). Longwall mining has been practiced at Sunnyside for over 20 years due to difficulties of roof control encountered when using the roan and pillar system. Number 3 mine is bounded on the north and south sides by mines Number 1 and 2 respectively. Whilst current production is concentrated into Number 1 mine, much of the future of the complex lies in the further development of deeper reserves in Number 3 mine. Workings in this latter mine were curtailed in 1978 due to difficulties in ventilation. Present developments are ventilated partially from the neighboring Number 2 mine where no workings are in progress. The layout of Number 3 mine is illustrated on the schematic Figure 1. Trunk airways extend down dip from the surface at No. 2 Canyon and the Water Canyon for a distance of some 9,600 ft. (2930m). The area between the two sets of trunk airways has been worked extensively in both seams as have the corresponding reserves on either side in the connected adjacent mines. At the present time exhausting fans are sited at the top of a shallow shaft in No. 2 Canyon and an 8 ft (2.4m) diameter shaft sunk to a depth of 1013 ft (310m) closer to the current developments (Figure 1). The current airflow system, even with an additional 116,000 cfm (55m3/s) entering from No. 2 Mine, is adequate only for the development work now in progress but will be unable to support new longwall faces further downdip. The basic ventilation problem of this mine may be stated quite simply. In a situation where all intake and return airways pass through extensive old workings, a ventilation system design was required that would be effective, efficient and economic for the foreseeable future of the mine. ORGANIZATION OF THE PLANNING PROCEDURE The procedure followed during the study is illustrated on Figure 2. Initial ventilation surveys established the current state of the airflow system and provided the necessary data for setting up a Basic Network File in a computer store. The data in this file was a mathematical model of the ventilation system of the mine. The basic network was analysed by a ventilation network analysis program in order to correlate the measured and computed airflows and to establish the basic network as a true representation of the mine as it stood at the time of the surveys. The network model could then be extended to simulate the future development of the mine and alternative ventilation designs investigated. The remaining sections of the paper outline the work involved in each of these main phases of the planning procedure. VENTILATION SURVEYS Conduct of Surveys Two types of measurements were conducted simultaneously throughout the air-carrying routes of the mine: (i) Airflow measurements were made by anemometer traverse or smoke tube at 221 selected stations. Anemometer traverses were repeated at each station until at least three gave results to within 5 per cent. (ii) Pressure drop measurements were made across ventilation doors, regulators and, wherever possible, across stoppings. Additionally, frictional pressure drops were measured along airways where such pressure drops were significant (above 0.01 inches of water gauge or 2.5 Pa over a 100m distance). The trailing hose method was used to determine these frictional pressure drops. This involved laying out 100m of abrasive resistant plastic tubing (3 mm internal diameter) with a 4 ft. pitot-static tube facing into the airflow at either end and a low range pressure gauge connected into the line. The trailing hose method was preferred to the alternative barometer technique for this study because of (a) the relative ease of access between measuring points and (b) the greater accuracy within individual airways. The anemometers used were Davis Biram Type A/2-3" (30 to 5,000 ft/min) and Airflow Developments AM-5000 digital (50 to 5,000 ft/min). The pressure gauges employed were Dwyer magnehelic instruments. These were preferred to liquid in glass manometers because of their portability and dependability under adverse mining conditions. A checklist of the equipment used in the survey is given in Appendix 1. The instruments were calibrated before and after the surveys in the mine ventilation laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley. The survey occupied two teams, each of three men, for ten working days. The work consisted

Jan 1, 1982

By David A. Rice

This note describes a simple, rapid technique for measuring the apparent volume and density of individual bits of porous materials such as iron ore pellets or pieces of coke. The method consists of determining the weight recorded on a balance when a particle is depressed below the surface of mercury, and calculating the apparent volume from the known density of mercury. The apparent density is calculated after weighing the particle in air. The method is particularly well suited for applications where a great number of determinations are to be made. An additional benefit is the minimal handling of the mercury. In any event, the usual recommended safety precautions should be adhered to.

Jan 1, 1982

By M. A. Mahtab, T. M. Yegulalp

This paper presents the development and application of an approach for clustering fracture orientation data. Data are projected on the surface of the unit upper hemisphere and the clustering approach is applied in three steps: (1) randomness test and identification of dense clusters, (2) estimation of cluster statistics, using Bingham distribution, and (3) rejection of extremal data based on Chauvenet's criterion.

Jan 1, 1982

By S. C. Suboleski, C. B. Manula

In a high risk venture such as mining where capital is committed and contracts are signed on a minimum of information, decisions are based primarily on production forecasts derived through consideration of such factors as management-labor relations, mining practice, variations in physical conditions, and the equipment applied. Among these factors, the physical conditions offer the least opportunity for control, and, due to the wide range of mining conditions experienced, little effort has been made to develop objective methods for measuring their effects on mine output. This paper's aim is to demonstrate a method for assessing these relationships that can be applied under a wide range of conditions both in new mines and in working sections where there is a need to determine the impact of proposed operational modifications. Using empirical data from active underground mines, a mathematical model was developed to derive a set of regression equations for predicting production as a function of mining conditions.

Jan 1, 1982

By P. R. Kneitz, G. Yoshikado, D. Zayakov

The design and analysis of a circular, domed powerhouse for Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) Company's Kerckhoff 2 Project is described. Exploration, geologic stress determinations, mechanical properties, reinforcement and instrumentation are addressed briefly. The analyses of the circular, domed cavern and the comparison of predicted and field deformations are presented in somewhat more detail. The behavior of the completed powerhouse cavern has been found to be substantially as predicted by the analysis.

Jan 1, 1982

By Christopher C. Barton

Each variable known to affect laboratory measurement of fracture-energy and fracture-toughness is reviewed. Specific examples are cited where each of the variables have been isolated.

Jan 1, 1982

By Lane D. Schultz, John D. McLennan, Jean-Claude Roegiers

During construction of the intake tunnels for a nuclear power facility in Ohio, evidence of a potential geological discontinuity was discovered. Assuming that the discontinuity might still prevail underneath the site, it was decided to measure the stress profile across the discontinuity. This information would be used to assess future stability on the basis of predicted shear stresses acting along the fracture. Seven intervals were hydraulically fractured to determine the magnitude and orientation of the stress tensor, in order to infer the shear stresses acting along the discontinuity. The formation consists of tightly interbedded shales. This, in combination with the shallow depths, would be expected to lead to horizontal hydraulic fractures -- a situation which generally provides limited information. Careful testing procedures, and meticulous interpretation, allowed the determination of the horizontal stress components as well as the vertical component, via the initiation and/or propagation of multiple fractures. The measured stresses fall within the range of stress magnitudes and orientation determined in other areas of the northeastern and north-central United States and in southern parts of Canada. In addition, a small stress gradient anomaly was recorded at depth. On a different scale, the measured stress regime is also evaluated in light of the regional geological setting.

Jan 1, 1982

By N. I. Fisher, J. Shepherd

A rapid method of determining natural fracture trends in collieries has been developed. The method will yield information that is precise enough to permit fracture domain boundaries to be delineated in a coal seam. Instead of a survey of cleat trends in a colliery taking several man-weeks or even man-months, a reconnaissance survey can be carried out in only a few man-days. At each of a sequence of sampling sites along a traverse, five measurements of trend are recorded for each set of fracture directions. A sequential plot of the medians of each fracture set is then made manually underground or by a computer in the mine office. Changes in fracture pattern can be detected easily in colliery development work if a geologist visits advancing faces regularly, and forecasts can be made about the likelihood of forthcoming faults and dykes. A full description of this method is given in Shepherd and Fisher (1981). The concept of mapping fractures rapidly in a colliery is based on using a geological traverse (Compton, 1962), along which observations can be made at chosen, regular intervals. The technique has been widely used for surface mapping across outcrops and in follow-up work in photogeological studies (Hepworth and Kennerley, 1970). In these cases, the geologist surveys the traverse line as mapping proceeds. In a colliery, however, ready-made traverse lines already exist in panels and along main roadways, often in several directions. It is thus possible to traverse a colliery in different directions and record the fracture trends at intervals, generating a reconnaissance fracture map. This can also be done on a continuing basis as mine development takes place. Generally, a sampling traverse should be longer than 0.5 km with sampling sites at relatively close-spaced intervals along the traverse. For example, in room-and-pillar mines pillars are commonly formed on 40-m centers and the sampling sites can then be arranged at 20-m intervals [(Fig. 1)]. The sites might have to be closer together for mines known to have bad mining conditions. The predominant fracture trend is normally the face cleat and the subordinate trend is the butt cleat (McCulloch et al.. 1974). Various changes can occur in the cleat or joint pattern: the face and butt sets may disappear or an entirely new set or sets may appear. Therefore, it is best to record all prominent fracture sets. Sometimes there is only one; in other cases there may be as many as three or more. An odd number of measurements of each fracture set are made (generally five or more) to enable the median value to be determined easily. The median value can be plotted underground using graph paper or a computer plot can be made in the laboratory or mine office [(Fig. 2)]. The sequential linked median (SLIME) plot draws the median trend for each sampling site as a unit line segment. The segments from successive sampling sites can be connected together to form a long chain [(Fig. 2A)]. The needle plot, on the other hand, draws a straight line to represent the traverse and then plots out the median trend for each sampling site [(Fig. 2B)]. The SLIME plot is better for visual display, as it highlights small irregularities and gross changes in trend. However, some work is required to relate the individual segments to their site location along a traverse. In this respect, the needle plot is more convenient because each segment -can be plotted-at a point corresponding to its location. Also, there is precise match-up if needle plots of face and butt cleat are compared. A description and listing of the SLIME program is given by White et al. (1981). An example of the use of this method is given for Wallsend Borehole colliery in New South Wales (Australia) [(Fig. 2)], where domains II and IV are associated with mining hazards. Domain II is coincident with a normal fault of 2.6-m throw, and domain IV with a basic dyke 12 m thick. These hazards were approached driving in a southwesterly direction, and a pronounced change in trend of the cleat to a northwesterly direction occurred at a distance of approximately 45 m from each one. The northwestern joint trend is parallel to that of the dyke and fault, and it occurs at a higher frequency close to these structures. The association of a particular joint set with faults has been found elsewhere (Shepherd and Creasey, 1979). The two minor cleat direction changes within domain V are narrow joint zones that are less than 5 m wide. The fracture trends derived from a SLIME traverse can be verified by collecting larger quantities of data at selected sites, as shown in the balloon density (rose) plots depicted in [Fig. 2C]. We are grateful for the financial support provided by Thiess Bros. Pty. Ltd. and the National Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Program administered by the Commonwealth Department of National Development and Energy. R.W. Miller Holdings Ltd. and Thiess Bros. Pty. Ltd. are thanked for their permission to publish data from their collieries.

Jan 1, 1982

By J. S. Wakeman

INTRODUCTION The primary purpose of comminution circuits in the mineral industry is to reduce an ore to a particle size that will permit separation of the valuable minerals from its gangue constituents. Wide variations in the mineral content and physical characteristics can and do occur throughout a given mineral deposit From the standpoint of their effects on the comminution characteristics of an orebody, these variations may not be identified by the normal sampling and analysis procedures utilized to delimit an orebody and to characterize its grade distribution. The proper design of a comminution circuit for a mineral deposit is very important to the success of that enterprise. It is also an expensive unit process both from the standpoint of capital and operating costs. It is, therefore, essential that any sampling program be designed to identify the variations that may occur that will affect this circuit. Because of the variety of comminution systems that are available, it is also essential that the sampling and subsequent evaluation program be sufficiently comprehensive to identify potentially inappropriate systems or flowsheets. It would be impossible to describe in a single chapter the techniques and approaches that should be utilized for sampling every type of orebody. Each orebody is unique and requires a sampling and testing program designed to its specific requirements for exploration, characterization and circuit design. The following is a general discussion of the guidelines to be used and considerations to be made in establishing such a program. SAMPLE SELECTION When sampling an ore deposit for the purposes of equipment and flowsheet selection for comminution, it is important that the sample composites for grind testing be chosen on the basis of how they will affect the comminution circuit rather than just how they might affect the subsequent metallurgical operations. For example, grindability, classification and liberation size characteristics are more important to the comminution circuit than ore grade. Mineral deposits may contain a multiplicity of ore types that can vary extensively in the dissemination of minerals and optimum liberation size requirements; and may also vary as much as 100% in ore hardness. The accumulation of samples for grind characterization should be done in such a way as to allow the identification of this variation. A proper mineralogical evaluation of the samples obtained to characterize an ore deposit can be a great aid in identifying the individual ore types within the deposit

Jan 1, 1982

By Clintford R. Jones, Om P. Pande

This chapter presents a survey of instrumentation and control systems used on ball mill circuits from the past to the present. It is based on the concept of optimization of plant practice, and addresses the influence of the circuit design on the control strategy and on the instrumentation philosophy. Methods of optimization of the grinding circuit, within the constraints of the mill design requirements, are reviewed. The modern use of automation and circuit optimization is critically reviewed for known and possible conceptual control loops. A comparative study of circuit variations due to instrument hardware, location and installation is provided. Future trends i.e., computer control (DDC) and the effects on both the control stratagems and the optimization stratagems are described.

Jan 1, 1982

By J. D. Anthony

The Australian continent possesses significant reserves of a wide range of minerals, including bauxite, coal, copper, diamonds, gold, iron ore, lead, manganese, mineral sands, nickel, phosphate, silver, tin, uranium, and zinc. Australia's identified economic resources of many minerals are very large as indicated in Table 1. A sophisticated and highly experienced mineral industry is now an established feature of the Australian economy and Australia is the world's largest exporter of iron ore, alumina, mineral sands and refined lead and amongst the leading suppliers of many other commodities such as coal, lead and zinc ores/concentrates, nickel, refined zinc, tungsten concentrates and bauxite. The industry exports 70% of its production. This is reflected in the value of Australian mineral exports which have grown from about $200m in 1960/61, comprising 10% of total export receipts, to about $1265m or 29% of export income in 1970/71 to around $7061 representing 37% of Australia's total export income in 1980/81. Details of the more significant minerals are as follows: Japan (42.1%) USA (11.3%) ASEAN (6.3%) UK (5.9%) F.R. Germany (3.8%) Republic of Korea (3.4%) New Zealand (2.6%) Also see Table 2. AUSTRALIA'S MINERAL RESOURCES POLICIES Federal and State Governments' Responsibilities Australia has a federal system of government comprising six States, a self-governing Territory and a Federal Government. Under the Australian federal system the Constitution sets down the powers of the Federal Government. All powers not assigned to the Federal Government in the Australian Constitution reside automatically with the States. Certain of these broad powers result in the Federal Government having a significant influence on resources development. For example, in being responsible for economic management, the Federal Government's fiscal and monetary policies have an important effect on industry as well as on State finances. In particular, the taxation regime employed by the Federal Government is of direct importance to decision-makers in the resources industry. The Federal Government is responsible also under the Constitution for external trade matters; and international trade and commodity matters are increasingly important in Australia's international relationships. Foreign investment is another area where the Federal Government has a role to ensure that national interests are protected. This foreign investment power flows from the Federal Government's control of foreign exchange movements into and out of Australia. However, before enlarging on these and others of the Federal Government's powers and policies, it should be emphasized that the State governments, by virtue of their wide powers to regulate matters within their own boundaries, are more directly involved in the day-to-day administration and regulation of mining operations. For instance, the powers of the State governments include the responsibility-for the granting of exploration rights and mining leases, the approval of mining operations and the levying of royalties and other like charges. Administrative arrangements covering the granting of minerals and petroleum exploration and development titles vary from State to State. Before development rights are granted, State governments consider environment protection and rehabilitation aspects of development proposals. The provision of infrastructure within State borders is a matter primarily of State government responsibility. It is usual practice in Australia for State governments to construct and operate infrastructure services such. as railways, ports and electricity generation and transmission. The States may also provide certain public services such as electricity. and water, port and loading facilities, communications, health and education services which form part of the infrastructure of mining operations. In remote areas the mining companies themselves usually are expected to provide much of this infrastructure. However, the Federal Government is primarily responsible in some fields, such as telecommunications and parts of the railways network. State governments carry out preliminary exploration and geological mapping and some are directly involved in the mining of coal for power generation. The Federal Government's responsibilities in addition to economic management, taxation, international relations, foreign capital and investment, include regulation of exports, environmental matters and matters affecting the Aboriginals of the Northern Territory. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT POLICIES The continued sound development of the minerals and energy resources sector is regarded by the Federal Government as being of very great importance. However, the Government does not seek to participate directly in resource developments. It sees its role rather as that of establishing a sound economic and policy climate in which private companies can identify opportunities, seek out customers and marshall the necessary capital for the development of resource projects.

Jan 1, 1982

By Theodore R. Butkovich, Jesse L. Yow

Geological storage of spent-fuel assemblies from an operating nuclear reactor has been underway since the Spring of 1980 at the U.S. Department of Energy's Nevada Test Site. The primary objective of this generic test is to evaluate granite as a medium for deep geological storage of high level reactor waste and to provide data on thermal and thermomechanical behavior of granite from imposed heat loads.(l) The underground installation in the Climax stock granite was sited at about 420 m below the surface and 145 m above the existing water table. As shown in Figure 1, three parallel drifts were excavated spaced on approximately 10 m centers. Seventeen storage holes were drilled at the central drift on 3 m centers in which eleven spent fuel canisters and six thermally identical electrical simulators were emplaced. Electrical resistance heaters were emplaced in vertical holes in the floor of the side drifts on 6 m centers. The thermal output of these heaters is being periodically adjusted to simulate the thermal response of a large storage array. Rock and ventilation air temperatures are being measured continuously in the drifts and throughout the rock surrounding the excavations. Measurements of drift deformation have been made routinely since the emplacement of the spent fuel. Both vertical and horizontal measurements are being taken at five locations along the heater drifts and at six locations along the central canister drift (Fig. 1). Two types of instrumentaton are being used: convergence wire extensometers which are monitored automatically, and a manually operated tape extensometer with which measurements are taken periodically. The tape extensometer measurements were initiated about 6 weeks following fuel emplacement. The lack of a temperature correcting capability for the convergence wire extensometers make that data unavailable for analysis at this time.

Jan 1, 1982

US 4,195,426-Manganese nodules are recovered from relatively great depths on the ocean floor using a self- propelled remote-controlled vehicle having a V-shaped tubular structure with a system of crawlers at its apexes. Underneath each side of the V-shaped structure is a scraping system for gathering nodules and directing them into a tubular conveying system for elevation to the surface ship. A given area of sea bed is fully mined in a single pass of the vehicle. V. Banzoli, V. Di Tella, and P Vielmo, assigned to Tecnomare, SPA. Apr. 1, 1980. 5 pp. 137-60) Filed. 3-31-78 (892,197). Priority: Italy, 4-1-77 (84119A/77).

Jan 1, 1982

By E. Z. Lajtai

The probability distribution of fracture data from a rock mechanics test contains information about the effectiveness of the testing procedure and/or about the nature of the operating failure mechanism. The tensile strength of Lac du Bonnet granite forms a bimodal probability distribution when determined through line loading as in the Brazilian test. The same data obtained from three point bends tests are unimodal. The bimodality can in part be removed by distributing the line load over a finite area. Moisture has the anticipated effect in lowering both the average compressive and the average tensile strength of Lac du Bonnet granite. The reduction in strength however is not uniform within the probability distribution; the change is the largest at low and the smallest at high strength. Conversely, long-term loading is more damaging to the high strength members of the distribution. The large scatter of failure times in static fatigue experiments can in part be removed or even utilized when the probability distribution of instantaneous strength is taken into account.

Jan 1, 1982

By L. Kovisars, F. Buttazzoni

The current demand for copper in the western world exceeds 7 million tonnes annually. The growth in demand is expected to average 2.6% annually to a level exceeding 11 million tonnes in 2000. Copper mine production is currently about 6 million tonnes annually; the annual net addition to mine output in the future will have to average about 190,000 tonnes of contained copper. The industrial nations of Europe and the western Pacific are heavily dependent on copper imports. Currently these import needs are supplied by Canada, Africa and Pacific producers. The increased demand for copper in the future is expected to further weight the trade balance to the Pacific suppliers. An evaluation of undeveloped deposits allows the ranking of these deposits based on total cost of production, including provision for plant and infra- structure investment as well as political/social/ economic risk. Peru, Canada, and the Southwest Pacific are expected to significantly increase exports. The United States will develop deposits to replace depleted mines, maintaining mine production at a level approximately equal to current output, with a consequent increase in copper imports. Chile is expected to become the world's leading copper producer, as well as expanding it's position as the leading exporter.

Jan 1, 1982

By David E. Jones, Dean K. Hunt, C. Y. Chen

INTRODUCTION Of all the numerous geological hazards that threaten the well-being of urban areas in the United States, probably none is so widespread, persistent, and diversified as surface subsidence (HRB-Singer, Inc., 1977). Simply defined, subsidence is the vertical displacement or sinking of the ground surface caused by either natural phenomena or man's activities. The downward movement, however, can be accompanied by horizontal movement, strain, tilt and even by a locally upward movement. Damage to structures and the environment can result from any of these movements. Extracting subsurface materials, fluids and solids, accounts for most man-induced subsidence in the United States. Among all the mining-related subsidences, the collapse of voids created by underground coal mining has been the major cause in inflicting surface damage (Comptroller General of the United States, 1979). Subsidence from coal mining may occur within a few weeks or be delayed for years, depending upon the mineral layer's depth below the surface, the overlying rock strata's characteristics, the extent and methods of mining that were employed, and the time deterioration of pillar and mine structure. Unless underground resources are not mined or control measures are implemented to prevent or minimize damage, some degree of surface subsidence and its accompanied deleterious effects are often inevitable. The ways to control the subsidence and minimize surface damage may include: 1. Precautionary measures built into new structures or surface features. 2. Preventive works applied to existing structures or surface features. 3. Mine design incorporating special underground layouts. 4. Any combination of the above measures. Upon the enactment of Public Law 95-87, the Secretary of the Interior, through the recently created Office of Surface Mining (OSM), was authorized to promulgate rules to regulate mining reclamation including subsidence control. Proposed on September 18, 1978, these rules were finalized, following public comment and hearings, on March 13, 1979, as part of the permanent regulatory program for the regulation of surface mining and reclamation operations which include the surface effects of underground mining. On January 28, 1981, Secretary Watt of the Department of the Interior issued an order to re- quire all agencies to identify with recommendations all regulations which are believed to be excessive, burdensome or counterproductive. Also on February 17, 1981. President Reagan issued Executive Order No. 12291 requiring all Federal agencies to conduct a regulatory review to make a determination that each promulgation of a regulation is clearly within the authority delegated by law and consistent with Congressional intent (Federal Register, 1981). As a result, OSM initiated the regulatory reform to revise the permanent regulatory program. Following a brief discussion of the technical aspects and the effects of subsidence on man and his environment, this paper presents a historical overview of how rules and regulations are used to govern the subsidence related problems. The development of the regulation of subsidence under Public Law 95-87, the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act) are also discussed, including the new regulations being developed under the regulatory reform program. SOME TECHNICAL ASPECTS Am EFFECTS OF FINE SUBSIDENCE An extensive historical review of mining subsidence is given by Zwartendyk (1971) and Shadbolt (1978). Comprehensive technical presentations have been given by Henry (1956), King and Whetton (1957), Hall and Orchard (1963). Muller, et al. (1968). Grard (1969), Voight and Pariseau (1970). Kapp and Williams (1972), Cummins and Given (1973), Brauner (1973) , and NCB (1975). A theory of surface subsidence due to underground mining was perhaps first fundamentally stated by a French engineer, Toillez, in 1838, and formulated by a Belgian engineer, Gonot, in 1839 (Goldreich, 1913, cited by Zwartendyk, 1971). Since that time,

Jan 1, 1982