State-of-the-Art Technique to Conduct in situ Stress Measurements in Deep Proposed Coal-Mining Blocks of Singareni Collieries, India

Singareni Collieries Company Ltd is proposing some new mining blocks in the Godavari coalfield with status document with roof hazard zonation maps vis-à-vis stress field, for safe and economical mine design. Hence, National Institute of Rock Mechanics, conducted stress measurements by hydraulic fracturing method in the newly proposed mining blocks at Mandamarri and Bellampalli areas of Singareni collieries at deeper levels from the surface up to 600 m depth to find out the existing stress regime to prepare the roof hazard maps for safe and economic mining. This communication deals with the technique adopted for hydraulic fracturing, method of estimating stresses, analysis of the results for magnitude and direction of in situ stresses prevailing at deeper horizons. These studies could be helpful in other coal mining areas.