Analysis of spatial distribution of mining tremors occurring in Rudna copper mine (Poland)

The distribution of mining tremors is strictly related to the exploitation progress of mining works and, consequently, to the local stress field. In case the distribution is known, it is possible to determine future area of intensive seismicity in exploited mining panel. In the paper, an analysis of working face-to-tremor distance for Rudna copper mine in Poland is presented. In order to develop a spatial model of tremors’ occurrence in the exploited mine, the seismicity of four mining sections in the five-month period was investigated and the tremors’ distribution was obtained. It was compared with the spatial distribution of tremors in coal mines found in the literature. The results show that the places where tremors mostly occur — the vicinity of the face, in front of it — coincide with the high-stress area predicted by literature models. The obtained results help to predict the future seismic zone connected with planned mining section, which can be used in seismic hazard analysis.