Advances in Development of Safe and Efficient Mining of Coexisting Coal and Uranium Resources
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Challenges Facing Coordinated Uranium–Coal Mining
2.1. Deformation of Overlying Strata Induced by Coal Seam Mining
2.1.1. Strata Deformation
2.1.2. Impact on Groundwater Environment
2.2. Disturbance of Groundwater Environment by Uranium In-Situ Leaching
2.3. Physical and Chemical Responses Trigged by Co-Mining of Uranium and Coal Deposits
- (1)
- Coal mining requires dewatering, which causes the groundwater level in uranium mining areas to continuously decline [35]. The uranium deposit is a sandstone uranium mine suitable for in-situ leaching. Mining must maintain a certain pressure head. If coal mine dewatering causes the groundwater level to exceed the lower levels suitable for in situ leaching, it will destroy the mining conditions of the Nalinggou uranium mine, resulting in unusable dead ore or rendering the uranium mine unusable.
- (2)
- Mining activities in lower coal mines may result in the spillage of uranium-containing leachates, posing the risk of radioactive contamination. During the mining activities of the lower coal mine, the formation of three zones causes changes in the groundwater seepage field, causing radionuclides to diffuse with the groundwater to the environment outside the uranium mine, polluting the surrounding groundwater environment, and even entering the coal mining area, affecting the safe operation of the coal mine.
2.4. Application of Numerical Methods in Coal-Uranium Co-Mining
3. Coordinated Mining Technology System for the Entire Uranium and Coal Mining Lifecycle
4. Key Scientific Issues in Coordinated Uranium and Coal Mining
- (1)
- The evolutionary characteristics and mechanisms of multiple phases and fields involved in uranium–coal mining process. Coal mining involves phenomena such as stress disturbances, surface subsidence, rock fractures, increases in underground fissures, and changes in groundwater seepage [30]. In addition, the underground leaching process of uranium ore involves a chemical reaction between the leaching solution and the ore-bearing layer, diffusion of various chemical substances, and migration of the leaching solution. Clarifying the changing rules of the rock stress, fissure, and groundwater seepage fields in coal mining and the evolution characteristics and rules of the chemical, diffusion, and solute transport fields involved in uranium mining are key to constructing a multiphase uranium–coal mining process.
- (2)
- Accurate characterization of multiphase and multifield cross-scale, full-time spatiotemporal coupling in coordinated uranium–coal mining areas. During the entire period of coordinated mining of uranium and coal, on the basis of the study of cross-scale spatial evolution rules and integration of time characteristics, we aim to establish a cross-scale multifield, including a cross-scale and full-time regional stress field, fracture field seepage field, geochemical field, and multiphase (including gas–liquid–solid) coupling model, to accurately characterize regional crack development rules, hydrodynamic field evolution, radionuclide migration and diffusion rules, and solute concentration change characteristics throughout the life of uranium–coal coordinated mining.
5. Key Technologies for Coordinated Uranium and Coal Mining
5.1. Technology to See through the Geological Characteristics of Uranium and Coal Deposits
5.2. Safe and Efficient Mining of Uranium Coal and Interference Reduction Technology
5.3. Uranium–Coal Coordinated Mining Isolation Technology
5.4. “Trinity” Pollution Prevention and Control Technology
5.5. Establishment of Intelligent Early Warning and Decision-Making Platform
6. Overlook into Conclusions
- (1)
- Based on the spatial superposition rules and superposition types of co-associated uranium coal, through the uranium coal mining process characteristics, mechanisms, control mechanisms, and geological process response rules and evolution characteristics, a coordinated mining model of avoidance, distance, and interference reduction throughout the lifecycle is constructed to form uranium planning methodology for safe, efficient and green mining of coal resources.
- (2)
- Our studies focused on constructing an adaptation mechanism for co-associated uranium coal coordinated mining, establishing a coupling evolution mechanism of the stress field, seepage field, chemical field, and solute transport process under the disturbance conditions of coordinated uranium coal mining, and revealing the strata deformation and contaminant leaching of coordinated uranium coal mining. The liquid migration law provides a theoretical model and important theoretical support for the coordinated and efficient development of uranium and coal resources, thus forming a theoretical system for coordinated uranium and coal mining.
- (3)
- Based on the co-associated uranium–coal coordinated mining technology system, joint studies on key technologies such as safe and efficient uranium–coal mining technology, uranium–coal coordinated mining isolation technology, and “trinity” pollution prevention and control technology are performed through a combination of industry, academia, research, and application. These points lead to areas, and areas lead to bodies that form a technical methodology for coordinated uranium and coal mining.
- (4)
- On the basis of obtaining planning, theoretical, and technical methodologies for coordinated uranium and coal mining, we will focus on co-associated uranium and coal in the Ordos Basin, conduct demonstration applications and promotions, and establish engineering practices for coordinated uranium and coal mining.
Author Contributions
Funding
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Su, X.; Liu, X.; Du, Z.; Hou, C.; Li, M.; Cao, F.; Chen, M.; Zhang, T. Advances in Development of Safe and Efficient Mining of Coexisting Coal and Uranium Resources. Processes 2024, 12, 1340. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12071340
Su X, Liu X, Du Z, Hou C, Li M, Cao F, Chen M, Zhang T. Advances in Development of Safe and Efficient Mining of Coexisting Coal and Uranium Resources. Processes. 2024; 12(7):1340. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12071340
Chicago/Turabian StyleSu, Xuebin, Xiaochao Liu, Zhiming Du, Chunru Hou, Mengjiao Li, Fengbo Cao, Meifang Chen, and Tong Zhang. 2024. "Advances in Development of Safe and Efficient Mining of Coexisting Coal and Uranium Resources" Processes 12, no. 7: 1340. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12071340
APA StyleSu, X., Liu, X., Du, Z., Hou, C., Li, M., Cao, F., Chen, M., & Zhang, T. (2024). Advances in Development of Safe and Efficient Mining of Coexisting Coal and Uranium Resources. Processes, 12(7), 1340. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12071340