A review of overburden fracturing and changes in hydraulic characteristics due to longwall mining

Longwall mining is a major mining method to extract thick, flat-lying and extensive seams. Due to the nature of this mining method, the overlying strata move continuously downwards into goaf and as a result, surrounding rocks are distressed, deformed and fractured. In the near area above the mined coal seam, both vertical and horizontal fracturing networks are evident, however within the higher zones, bed separation and slippage are the dominant...