Title: Seismic risks posed by mine flooding

Title: Seismic risks posed by mine flooding
Authors: Goldbach, OD
Keywords: Mine flooding
Seismicity
Flooding-induced seismicity
South African gold mines
Goundwater
Hard Rock Safe Safety Conference 2009

Issue Date: Sep-2009
Citation: Goldbach, OD. 2009. Seismic risks posed by mine flooding. Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Hard Rock Safe Safety Conference 2009. Sun City, South Africa, 28-30 September, 2009. pp 1-26

Abstract: Many South African gold mines will flood when they close, as the groundwater will gradually fill the mining voids. Preliminary investigations have shown that flooding of mines can generate increased levels of seismicity. Examples are given that illustrate some of the characteristic differences between fluid-induced seismic events and mining induced events. This paper aims to create awareness that fluid-induced seismicity will become increasingly important in South Africa when closed mines are allowed to flood. Such flooding-induced seismicity can have significant environmental, social and economic consequences, and may endanger neighbouring mines and surface communities. Description: Southern African Institute of Mining and

Metallurgy, Hard Rock Safe Safety Conference 2009. Sun City, South Africa, 28-30 September, 2009.

URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10204/3647
Read more: http://researchspace.csir.co.za/dspace/handle/10204/3647