US coal geophysics expands and gains more support

Abstract

The US coal geophysics program was once the exclusive domain and best kept secret of one major coal company. The company was able to develop a full spectrum of remote-sensing technologies to address their complex upstream and downstream challenges. The program started in the mid-1970s, and greatly expanded a decade later with more robust and diverse applications. Innovative geophysical surveys were routinely conducted to enhance the company?s coal exploration, engineering, and environmental programs. As the largest operator of underground longwall mines in the country, Consol Energy was able to improve their mining productivity and mine safety by detecting and imaging potential geologic anomalies that could create adverse underground mining conditions prior to mine development. High-resolution surface seismic surveys were routinely conducted years in advance of mine development. Other geophysical methods were at times employed as part of internal multi-disciplinary (geology, geophysics, geohydrology, and ground control) studies to address environmental, engineering, and permitting issues.