• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.408-416
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• 2015

The collapse of the underground cavities and voids, which were made for developing mineral resources, can cause the subsidence of the ground surface in the residential areas. During the Japanese colonial era and the 1960's mining boom period, lots of mines had been developed indiscriminately in Korea. Due to complicated geological conditions and mining methods, many of dangerous underground mine cavities with steep slopes had been generated at the shallow surface. Due to such conditions, it is difficult to directly apply valid foreign reclamation practice for the cavities in Korea environments. It is necessary to develop the efficient ground stabilization technologies for the Korea underground mine conditions to solve abandoned mine reclamation properly. Therefore, MIRECO and Korea government have been carrying out practical researches and technical developments together with other academic researchers and reclamation business partners, and various practical solutions such as surveying and exploration methods, proper cavity filling materials and reinforcement methods have been developed with application in the mine field. In this article, up to date technologies and R&D trends in the field of mine subsidence prevention technology are broadly reviewed to establish the future direction of a research and development.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.511-524
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• 2015

Groundwater causing subsidence in limestone mines is uncommon, and thus relatively poorly investigated. This case study investigated the cause and possibility of future subsidence through an evaluation of ground stability at the Samsung limestone mine, Chungcheongbuk-do. The ground near the mine area was evaluated as unstable due to rainfall permeation, and subsidence in the unmined area resulted from groundwater level drawdown. Future subsidence might occur through the diffusion of subsidence resulting from the small thickness of the mined rock roof, fracture rock joints, and poor ground conditions around the mine. In addition, the risk of additional subsidence by limestone sinkage in corrosion cavities, groundwater level drawdown due to artificial pumping, and rainfall permeation in the limestone zone necessitates reinforcements and other preventative measures.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.243-251
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• 2008

Recently, the mining methods are changing from surface mining to underground mining because of the increment of the environmental issues and legal regulations. Therefore, the stability of underground openings is a major concern for the safety and productivity of mining operations. In this paper, a survey of structural geology and discontinuities were carried out at a limestone mine. The relevant mechanical properties of rocks were determined by the laboratory tests and rock mass classifications (RMR and Q-system) for the mine design and input data for the stability analysis. The dimensions of unsupported span for underground openings and pillar were decided based on the RMR values of rock mass classifications. The stability analysis for the suggested mine design was examined through the empirical methods (stability graph method and critical span curve) and 3-D numerical analysis (Visual-FEA).

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.497-514
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• 2020

This study investigated the causes of large-scale ground subsidence in the upper part of mining cavities of the Samdo limestone mine, Samcheok city, Gangwondo, Korea. Geological and electrical resistivity surveys were undertaken on the collapsed slope of the mountain and in the mine tunnel where subsidence occurred, with geotechnical evaluations and numerical analysis. It is concluded that wide mining cavities, with irregular pillars in unstable rock masses hosting discontinuities, weathered over time, resulting in subsidence occurring along a fault plane due to increasing ground stress.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.213-234
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• 2002

우리 나라는 70년대까지 광업은 부흥하였으나, 그 이후 급속히 위축되면서 80년대 이후 거의 대부분 광산들이 폐광 또는 휴광된 실정이다. 그 결과 현재 전국 각지에 다수의 폐갱도가 존재하게 되었으며, 이제는 지반침하 및 각종 침출수의 원인자로 간주될 정도이다. 최근 지자체에서는 이런 폐갱도를 지역 자원으로서 가치를 인정하고 지역 활성화를 위해 재 이용하려는 움직임이 보이고 있는데, 구체적으로는 관광시설, 연구시설, 농업생산시설, 저장시설, 폐기물처리시설 등이다. 일본은 폐광된 금속광산 재활용을 위해 입지여건과 주변지역, 입갱 가능성 등 기초조사를 하였다. 조사결과 폐갱도의 문제점으로 입갱이 가능한 광산이 적다는 점을 들 수 있다. 대부분의 광산은 갱구가 함몰되었거나, 갱내에 지하수가 차 있어 접근이 불가능한 경우가 대부분이다. 비교적 양호한 암반 경우는 서브 레벨 스토핑, 잔주, 주방식 등의 채굴법에 의해 대규모 공동이 잔존하고 있는 경우도 있지만 그리 많지 않았다. 폐광된 광산 재활용 여건은 우리 나라와 일본이 대동소이 경우로 현실적으로 활용이 가능한 폐광은 많지 않으며 활용코자 할 때에는 기존갱도를 활용하면서 암반이 견고한 곳에 새로운 갱도를 설치하여야 한다. 그러나 몇몇 곳에서는 매우 유용하게 잘 활용되고 있는 곳도 있고, 연구 검토하면 충분한 활용성이 있다고 생각되는 곳도 있다. 그러므로 현재의 상황을 보고 판단할 것이 아니라, 활용기술과 접목해서 활용성을 검토함으로써 불용 자산의 유용화 방안이 검토되어야 할 것이다. 현재 가행중인 광산은 입지여건 및 암반이 양호하고, 대형갱도를 굴착하는 석회석광산 등을 선택하여 폐광 후 활용이 가능토록 채광기술 발전시켜 나가야 하며, 인간 중심적인 시설 또는 산물 중심적인 시설로 구분하여 폐광 후 복구비용을 우선 지원하는 방식 등을 통하여 시추, 탐광굴진, 현대화, 수갱굴착, 자금융자 등을 지원하는 우리 공사와 산업자원부가 지자체, 산림청, 건교부, 농림부 등과 연계하여 종합적인 지원육성책을 마련하여야 할 것이다. 결과적으로, 지방자치단체 등에서 관심을 갖고 있는 저장시설, 폐기물처리시설, 관광시설, 농업생산시설, 연구시설 등을 중심으로 ＆apos;광산 채굴적을 미래에 어떻게 활용한 것인가＆apos;를 선진외국 사례를 벤치마킹하고, 연구ㆍ검토하여 친환경적인 광산개발이 되도록 기본적인 방향과 개념을 갖도록 하여 관련 정책을 계획적이고, 체계적으로 수립 일관성 있게 추진해 나가야 할 것이다.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.407-424
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• 2019

To prevent possible accidents by surface subsidence, backfilling operation is known to be one of the most effective methods for ensuring the long-term ground stability because it can eliminate fundamentally the origin of underground mine opening collapse. Also, for effective backfilling of underground mine opening, it is necessary to keep monitoring of backfilled mine opening for analyzing several factors such as filling effect with change of backfill material and characteristics of backfill material. Therefore, in this study, a monitoring system which consists of measuring device and software program has developed to examine the performance of backfilling operation and verify to field applicability to underground mine. Sensors for measuring device have been selected through study of recent research papers and mock-up test has been performed to verify the system compliance. Also, monitoring result of the mock-up test compared to case studies in some countries. From monitoring result fo the mock-up test compared to case studies in some countries, consequently, it was concluded that the developed real-time monitoring system had ensured filed applicability in the underground mine.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.455-465
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• 2016

The collapse of underground mine development void for mineral resources can cause the subsidence of ground surface. In order to prevent the subsidence of ground, data such as maps or pictures of past mining site is important information for current mine reclamation works. In particular, mine subsidence management was based on mining maps and pictures. The process of the mining area surveys, safety evaluation, and ground reinforcement are normally possible with information such as maps and pictures in past mining. During the Japanese colonial period and 1960's, a lot of mines were developed in Korea indiscriminately. However, mining information at that time is limited to use. In the future, mining information will become even more rare. MIRECO intends to establish a realistic alternative solution. In this study, the basic numerical information of developed mine tunnels in Korea is statistically reviewed, and advanced underground cavity measuring technology was studied. 4,473 mine tunnel opening data of 1,784 abandoned mines in korea were collected and sorted. As a result of the analysis, the average value of small mine tunnel openings in Korea was 1.982 m in height and 1.959 m in width. The mean value of shape factor was analyzed as 0.485. The summary of these numerical mine data will be helpful for understanding and researching Korean abandoned mines. Therefore, the development of measurement technology for abandoned mine cavities and tunnels is expected to facilitate more effective mine subsidence management works in Korea.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.249-256
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• 2000

According to the industrial restructuring in the late 1980's, most domestic mines have been shutdown or suspended in operation. The closed underground excavation caverns remain in their abandoned conditions, and they will potentially cause environmental hazards. To evaluate the feasibility of the utilization of the abandoned caverns, the foreign crises were studied. As a result, we proposed several possible examples including underground storage cavern fur food products, underground compressed air energy system(CAES), and underground repository (or incineration plant) of industrial wastes. Among them, the underground waste repositories are most probable to be seen in Korea in the near future. For this, the study in rock engineering aspects should be conducted, which will include the establishment of support system and safety measure of the abandoned underground excavation caverns.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.395-402
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• 2000

The influence of the mined-out caves on the stability of the high speed railway tunnel was investigated with a series of geological logging and in-situ tests on the one hand, and with the rock mass classification using the multiple regression analysis on the other hand. The rock mass in this area can be classified as 'fair', and the condition of the discontinuities plays the most important role in the classification of the rock mass. The results of the analysis obtained by the FLAC showed that the western part of the tunnel locating at 50m above the mine cavities could be affected by subsidence associated with a considerable deformation, the magnitude of which might depend on the properties of the rock mass.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.295-306
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• 2021

This study used numerical modeling to investigate the stability of railway roadbed in areas with various underground cavities and rock conditions associated with mining activities. It compared combined loads from both passenger and freight trains with loads from only passenger trains. Stability was assessed with reference to the Korean government standards for railway subsidence allowance and railway warping repair. Sufficient stability regarding the railway subsidence allowance standard was not achieved when cavities were at depths of <5 m. The criteria for requiring railway warping repair were met when cavities were at depths of <15 m, depending on the rock fracture condition. This study provides the first report on systematic analysis land subsidence related to cavity size and rock fracture conditions associated with mining activities. We expect that this study could serve as an important reference for railway construction in mining areas.