Identification of hazardous sites based on studying the development of man-made fractures within the rock mass

E.S. Zherlygina, M.E. Kuranova, V.N. Gusev, E.E. Odintsov
Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation
Russian Mining Industry №1 / 2025 p. 162-169

Abstract: The article presents information on the risks of failing to have regular monitoring of areas subject to the formation of man-made fractures. Specific features in the geological structure of the primary and repeatedly undermined rock masses, as well as regularities in development of hazardous man-made fractures are described. The dependence has been justified between the height of water-conducting fracture zone and the total thickness of the successively mined formations of the geological series. It has been established that these parameters are related by an exponential function that can be adapted to the specific characteristics of the mining and geological conditions. The use of this dependence is demonstrated to help in identifying hazardous areas where man-made water-conducting fractures are developing. The developed approach makes it possible to promptly implement protection measures, provides safe management of the upper contact of the bedrock, and allows predicting the size of the man-made fracture zones. The results of the study can be useful in assessing the height of the man-made fracture development zone and in particular cases to clarify the need to comply with the safe depth parameter, which requires leaving a considerably large reserves of minerals in the safety pillars. The described approach to identifying hazardous areas can be extended to other mineral deposits.

Keywords: geomechanical safety, mining operations, hazardous areas, water-conducting fracture zones, rock mass condition, safe operation

For citation: Zherlygina E.S., Kuranova M.E., Gusev V.N., Odintsov E.E. Identification of hazardous sites based on studying the development of man-made fractures within the rock mass. Russian Mining Industry. 2025;(1):162–169. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2025-1-162-169

Article info

Received: 02.11.2024

Revised: 09.01.2025

Accepted: 15.01.2025

Information about the authors

Ekaterina S. Zherlygina – Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Associate Professor, Senior Research Associate, Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3404-0863; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Militina E. Kuranova – Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Senior Research Associate, Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8198-0252; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Vladimir N. Gusev – Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Professor, Head of the Mine Surveying Department, Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3148-9729; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Egor E. Odintsov – Postgraduate Student, Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation; https://orcid.org/0009-0008-3424-0148; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Authors’ contribution

E.S. Zherlygina – designing the concept of the article; preparation of the methodology for data verification; setting of the research problem.

M.E. Kuranova – analysis of the research results; search and preparation of the initial data.

V.N. Gusev – generation of the research idea.

E.E. Odintsov – implementation of scientific review of modern methods to assess the impact of geomechanical parameters; writing and editing the text of the article.

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