Continuous Breakthroughs! CCTEG Xi’an Research Institute’s Technical System for Coal Mine Compound Disaster Control Opens New Pathways for Disaster Governance

With the continuous increase in the intensity and depth of coal mining in China, major dynamic disasters such as mine earthquakes, rockbursts, and coal and gas outbursts are likely to occur, posing severe challenges to industry development and social stability. Over years of practical exploration, CCTEG Xi’an Research Institute has developed a technical system for compound disaster control in coal mines. It has successfully implemented China’s first collaborative governance engineering case for multiple disasters, including rockbursts, pressure-relief gas control, and goaf grouting for fire prevention and extinguishing. It has achieved remarkable results in preventing and controlling various coal mine disasters.

For the first time, the integrated surface-underground fracturing technology was adopted, achieving breakthrough results. Leveraging the same surface well pad, the technology conducts large-scale fracturing in directional, long boreholes drilled across multiple underground working faces via connecting wells and fracturing manifolds. This is a significant improvement in coal mine disaster prevention and control, introducing a new collaborative governance model for multiple coal mine disasters.

An innovative approach combining surface horizontal wells with fracturing was adopted. Addressing frequent mine seismicity caused by large coal seam thickness, extensive overlying rock movement, and intense roof disturbance in a coal mine in the Ordos Basin, the technology successfully weakened the key hard rock layers that contribute to mine seismicity. This achieved the objectives of reducing energy accumulation and facilitating the controlled release of seismic energy, thereby ensuring the safe extraction of the working face.