The Mining Remediation Authority is an executive non-departmental public body of the United Kingdom government, which is responsible for licensing coal mining in Britain, dealing with water pollution caused by historical coal mining and managing the safety issues that have resulted from years of coal mining including some subsidence damage claims. In addition, some shafts and boreholes resulting from metal mining activities are also in scope.
With over 15 years of experience conducting shaft investigations and an exemplary safety record, combined with a large pool of equipment and experienced engineers, RGS were ideally placed to participate in this programme of works.
It is mainly the mining legacy issues that RGS are tasked with investigating with a strong emphasis on hydrogeology and the stability and structural integrity of boreholes and old shafts. A large suite of probes was made available for the investigations, to be called on as needed, including:
RGeo-eye® Camera: Video images for boreholes and small diameter shafts
Temperature Conductivity: Temperature and borehole fluid conductivity profiles
Fluid Sampler: Water sample collection for on-site and laboratory analysis
3-Arm Caliper: Diameter and natural gamma profiles
Borehole Geometry: Diameter and natural gamma profiles in larger diameter boreholes
Impeller Flowmeter: Flowrate measurement (pumped or unpumped)
Heat Pulse Flowmeter: Flowrate measurement for small flowrates
High Resolution Acoustic Televiewer®: Borehole wall/casing imaging and borehole orientation
High Resolution Optical Televiewer®: Borehole wall/casing imaging and borehole orientation
Full Waveform Triple Sonic: Borehole casing integrity and formation velocities
Formation Density: Density of formations
Focussed Electric: Formation resistivity profile
In particular, the use of the video cameras to gather images showing the condition of shafts is invaluable when conducting these surveys. When combined with data from other probes this enhances the ability of The Mining Remediation Authority to make informed decisions on their structures moving forward.
