Mining Investigations

What investigations are required?

Whilst a development site may present no obvious problems at the surface, it can be a different story below ground level, particularly in those areas with extensive historic mining activity.

Identifying Risk

Mining 1

The need for mining investigations is usually confirmed through preliminary desk studies which will identify any site with underlying coal or other productive mining strata such as ironstone, salt, limestone or chalk.

Mining reports and records are obtained from the coal authority and form part of the review process, providing details of the depth, age and type of working, location of shafts and adits and whether past mining instability has been recorded. Mining records have only been kept since 1872, so the fact that there are no records doesn’t preclude the possibility of earlier workings, and therefore any risk from these forms part of the overall assessment.

Potential issues

Mine workings can present a variety of problems that may affect the feasibility of a proposed development, causing increases in both project costs and development timescales. Poorly compacted made ground or mine waste or the presence of redundant shafts or voids can all pose significant risk.

How we can help

Mining 2

A detailed desk study with associated mine workings research can assist you in pre purchase assessment as well as identifying the potential remediation requirements such as drilling and grouting or shaft stabilization.

In most cases it is possible to stabilise such workings to a point where development can proceed as planned, and Eaton Geotechnics Ltd with its detailed knowledge of mining can assist clients in identifying risk, developing cost effective stabilisation plans and managing the subsequent remediation. Once the investigation is completed, we can also advise on appropriate and cost effective geotechnical engineering solutions for any type of development.

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