Calculation of Electromagnetic Radiation Criterion for Rockburst Hazard Forecast in Coal Mines

Intensive micro-fracturing of rock close to mining operations accompanies an increase in the likelihood of rockbursting. This fracturing causes an increase of the electromagnetic radiation (EMR) level by up two orders of magnitude, depending on the mining environment. Several examples of this enhanced EMR are presented in this paper. We first treat the EMR theoretical criterion of rockburst hazard in coal mines and compare it with the empirical criterion of EMR activity that was revealed on the basis of more than 400 different hazardous and non-hazardous situations in underground coal mines. Only the following parameters are needed to estimate the EMR criterion of rockburst hazard: limiting value of gum volume, mine working width, coal seam thickness, and coal elastic properties.