Texas lignite mining: Groundwater and slope stability control in the nineties and beyond
- EMCON, Fort Worth, TX (United States)
As lignite mining in Texas approaches and exceeds depths of 200 feet below ground level, rising costs demand that innovative mining approaches be used in order to maintain the economic viability of lignite mining. Groundwater and slope stability problems multiply at these depths, resulting in increasing focus on how to control these costs. Dewatering costs are consistently rising for the lignite industry, as deeper mining encounters more and larger saturated sand bodies. These sands require dewatering in order to improve slope stability. Planning and analysis become more important as the number of wells grows beyond what can be managed with a simple {open_quotes}cookie-cutter{close_quotes} approach. Slope stability plays an increasing role in mining concerns as deeper lignite is recovered. Slope stability causes several problems, including loss of lignite, increased rehandle, and hazards to personnel and equipment. Traditional lignite mine planning involved a fairly {open_quotes}generic{close_quotes} pit design with one design highwall angle, one design spoil angle, and little geotechnical evaluation of the deposit. This {open_quotes}one mine-one design{close_quotes} approach, while cost-effective in the past, is now being replaced by a more critical analysis of the design requirements of each area. Geotechnical evaluation plays an increasing role in the planning and operational aspects of lignite mining. Laboratory core sample test results can be used for slope stability modeling, in order to obtain more accurate design and operational information.
- OSTI ID:
- 613837
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9705128-; TRN: 98:001000-0026
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 14. annual national meeting of the American Society for Surface Mining and Reclamation (ASSMR), Austin, TX (United States), 10-15 May 1997; Other Information: PBD: 1997; Related Information: Is Part Of Vision 2000: An environmental commitment; Brandt, J.E.; Galevotic, J.R.; Kost, L.; Trouart, J. [eds.]; PB: 799 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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