Supporting Soft Rock Roadways: A New Approach

Underground coal mining often faces challenges due to weak, water-prone rocks. This is especially true in the Lvtang Coal Mine in Guizhou, China. The tailgate of longwall panel 2606, a typical soft rock roadway, experienced significant deformation despite using rock bolts, cable bolts, and surface support systems. Researchers found that the main cause was the low strength and high weathering susceptibility of the coal and surrounding rock.To tackle this issue, they proposed a new support strategy combining anchoring, shotcreting, and grouting. This method was tested through numerical simulations and found to be effective. When implemented in the 2606 tailgate, it reduced rib deformation by 66%. This approach offers a valuable solution for supporting and reinforcing soft rock roadways in similar conditions.