Springvale Coal structural geology model
Springvale mine is located at the western margin of the Sydney Basin (Western Coalfield). The mine has a history of difficult roof conditions, although these are not always clearly linked to geological structure. SRK was originally engaged in 1999 to review the structural interpretation of the mine, following a series of complex unexpected faulting that had a serious impact on panel development and business performance. SRK brought a high level of structural geology skills and a fresh interpretative approach, and an alternative structural model was developed.
The Springvale structural geology framework was considered with respect to its place in the broader framework of south-eastern NSW. Looking successively at the different scales of regional, district and ultimately mine site provided a likely tectonic model with which to interpret Springvale. An integrated structural interpretation was developed using available aeromagnetic data in conjunction with other remotely sensed datasets (e.g. topography) and geological and geotechnical mapping from the mine. The revised geological model has proven to be invaluable to the development of robust mine plans and geological hazard mitigation.
Since this initial review, further high-resolution aeromagnetic data have been systematically acquired across the entire mine area and that of the neighbouring Angus Place and Clarence operations. Periodic structural reviews have been undertaken by SRK at Springvale Mine and other Centennial Coal operations in the Western Coalfield to predict and understand the geological controls on areas of poor ground conditions as new mining areas are developed. The models have been periodically refined as new mining areas have been developed and new data have been acquired. The structural models are used by geological, mine planning and ground support teams in predicting the locations of structures and assessing the stress associated with faults.
