Features of deformations and fractures of the underlying rocks of a gas-bearing reservoir with associated gas release during its development

The development of a suite of gas-bearing formations, including formations that are dangerous due to gas-dynamic phenomena, is part of the overall problem of improving the safety and efficiency of underground coal mining in Russian mines. This is especially important for the mines of the Vorkuta coal deposit, given the current mining depths (close to 1000 meters). The reason for the release of methane into the treatment and preparatory workings of a reservoir from an overworked massif in a complex mining, geological and mining engineering environment in the treatment faces is the germination of local cracks, while the solution to the issues of degassing above- and underworked coalfields should be based on an assessment of its geomechanical condition. Under the influence of rock and gas pressure, local cracks form a system, followed by a series of main cracks, which leads to the formation of delamination cavities in the underlying layers of the host rocks communicating with the mining. In most cases, research is aimed at establishing sustainability criteria, for example, preparatory mine workings, and the issue of the cause of loss of stability and their detailed analysis is not considered. The study and determination of the features of destruction and changes in the characteristics of the overworked array, usually filled with gaseous fluids, is generally one of the key issues of system stability.

Bondarev A. V., Shvankin M. V., Vasilenko T. A., Prekin E. A., Moroz D. I., Spornyi A. I. Features of deformations and fractures of the underlying rocks of a gas-bearing reservoir with associated gas release during its development. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2026;(5):125-138. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2026_5_0_125.

A.V. Bondarev¹, Leading Engineer, e-mail: alex_bondarev78@mail.ru, SPIN-code: 2904-4066, Author ID: 689415, ORCID ID: 0009-0006-9363-701X,
M.V. Shvankin¹, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Head of Sector, e-mail: vnimi-sgu@yandex.ru, Author ID: 479112,
T.A. Vasilenko¹, Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Chief Researcher, e-mail: tvasilenko@mail.ru, Author ID 57212244174, ORCID ID: 0000-0003-4290-1520,
E.A. Prekin², First Deputy General Director – Technical Director, e-mail: general@vorkutaugol.ru,
D.I. Moroz², Chief Technologist, e-mail: DI.Moroz@vorkutaugol.ru, 
A.I. Spornyi², Chief Engineer of the Vorkutinskaya mine, e-mail: ai.spornyi@vorkutaugol.ru,
1 Scientific Center for Geomechanics and Issues of Mining Industry, Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, 199106, Saint-Petersburg, Russia,
2 JSC «Vorkutaugol», 169908, Vorkuta, Komi Republic, Russia.

A.V. Bondarev, e-mail: alex_bondarev78@mail.ru.

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