CCTEG Xi'an Research Institute has taken the lead in realizing the application of "muon imaging" technology in the detection of coal mine goafs

Muons are one of the 12 fundamental particles that make up the universe and possess extremely strong penetrating power. For the first time, the R&D team of CCTEG Xi'an Research Institute successfully used muon imaging technology to image the internal structure of coal mine goafs. The imaging tests were successful in goaf detection in both underground and open-pit coal mines. Using muons—cosmic particles—to capture "CT images" of coal mine goafs provides a new approach for detecting hidden geological factors that cause disasters and for disaster prevention and control in China's coal mines.

As introduced, muon imaging features strong penetrating power, long-distance non-contact detection, and high spatial resolution. It can generate images based on differences in muon absorption across strata with varying densities and is widely applicable to detecting density-deficient areas, such as goafs in the overlying strata of coal seams and large fault structures. It is expected to become a brand-new mine geophysical exploration method following gravity, seismic, electrical, and magnetic methods. Furthermore, as a passive source-detection method, it is not affected by electromagnetic signals in underground coal mines, giving it distinct advantages.