Review of the Backfill Materials in Chinese Underground Coal Mining

Abstract

In China, backfill mining has been selected as an effective approach to realize the green mining of underground coal resources, where backfill materials are the major factor in the development of backfill mining. In order to provide a better reference for further research and development of backfill mining, the experience and research achievements are reviewed in this paper. Firstly, the backfill materials that have been successfully applied in Chinese underground backfill coal mining are divided into two categories according to whether water is used during the backfill mining operation. Then, the primary considerations of each backfill material during its preparation, transportation and activation stages are discussed and evaluated. Finally, suggestions for backfill material exploration are proposed in terms of the future backfill mining of coal resources in Western China, where there is serious surface desertification.

Assessing the Performance of CO2-Mineralized Underground Backfilling Materials through the Variation Characteristics of Infrared Radiation Temperature Index

“…Additionally, it is worth noting that apart from the performance of backfilling materials, the selection of backfilling methods and real-time monitoring of damage and rupture in the backfilling bodies are also crucial. Traditional filling methods face several challenges, such as a complex process, high filling costs, difficulties in mining and filling coordination, and insufficient constraints on the filling bodies [18][19][20]. For example, backward dry-filling equipment leads to low labor efficiency and a relatively complex process.…”

“…For example, backward dry-filling equipment leads to low labor efficiency and a relatively complex process. The water-sand filling method involves a troublesome dehydration process, increases underground drainage, and has limited applications, with industrial testing discontinued in China [18]. Paste filling, despite having higher material costs compared to other filling materials, also presents technical index gaps [19].…”

An Underground Mine Safety-Oriented Optimization Model for Mine Tailings Backfill Scheduling Considering Multi-Process and Multi-Cycle Issues

“…As a result of this convergence, the influence of the human factor on the functioning of extractive enterprises is significantly reduced since part of the analysis and decision-making process falls under the control of digital systems [19]. This progression has facilitated the integration of automation and intelligent algorithms into the realm of backfilling [20], thereby fostering the evolution of automated and intelligent backfilling procedures [21]. By harnessing monitoring equipment [22], the real-time assessment of material feed volumes, flow rates, concentrations, and material levels can be meticulously conducted [23,24].…”