Mining – Legacy Issues
Assessment of historic mining activity and the risks associated with mine workings, shafts, subsidence and gas.
Geotech Nicholls primary specialisation relates to mining legacy matters. The UK has a long history of working a wide range of minerals. From the tin mines of Cornwall to coal in Scotland, via the Lead / Zinc fields of the Pennines, and the copper deposits of North Wales and Cheshire our grandparent’s generation, and their grandparents before them, were busy digging holes in the ground to extract minerals.
We have undertaken a number of Mining Risk Assessments for Network Rail and remain very active in this field. The baseload of our work is the preparation of formal Mining Risk Assessments in accordance with the Network Rail Mining Standard Manual NR/L2/CIV/191. Geotech Nicholls Ltd are active in research in this field, and we are currently exploring the use of Discrete Element Computation to model subsidence mechanisms (as shown in the animation to the right). Away from the railway we can write reports that follow the strategies outlined in CIRIA 758D “Abandoned Mine Workings Manual”.
Technical papers are also currently in preparation relating to “The origin and working of the Staffordshire rearers” (intended for submission to ICE Proceedings – Geotechnical Engineering) and with respect to “The “architecture” of worked coal seams – a critical parameter for minewater heat schemes” (BGA Conference, Leeds, 2027).
We can assist with design and treatment schemes for shaft capping and infilling, as well as grouting of shallow coal seams where necessary. We can assist with preparation of the required Mining Remediation Authority (formerly the Coal Authority) permit if investigation or treatment works disturb coal and or other coal mining related infrastructure.
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Glossary of terms used in the Historical British Mine Working Industry: 2024 Edition
The 4th Edition of this technical glossary collecting together a wide range of historical terms used in the British Mining Industry. Collated over a number of years from a wide range of sources this work continues to be updated.
