Using GIS-Based Weights-of-Evidence Method for assessing mining induced rockfall

摘要

Coal mining operations frequently impact on various types of surface infrastructure or natural features, including cliff-lines, steep slopes and natural watercourses. Introduction of longwall mining has led to subsidence depression due to the changing geometry of the mined out area. This paper demonstrates the use of Weights of Evidence (WofE) technique applied within a GIS environment to predict potential areas for rockfalls along cliff-lines in the NSW Southern Coalfield. The WofE is a 'data-driven' method that can be used to predict subsidence impacts prior to mining. The paper uses ten known rockfalls associated with longwall workings along a river to evaluate the impact of mining further than 50 m of the river's cliffs. There is a significant reduction in the probability of rockfall when mining is avoided within 50 m of the cliffline.