Remote Sensing Applications for Improved Mine Design and Ground Control

INTRODUCTION The Bureau of Mines (The Bureau) remote sensing researchers at the Denver (CO) Research Center, have been investigating computerized methods to detect and map surface linear features called "lineaments" for ground hazard assessment in mines. Many of these lineaments at the test mine site were found to correlate to subsurface geologic discontinuities such as faults, fractures, and joints that intersect coal seams at depth. These features adverse1 y affect the roof and rib integrity in underground mines, thus contributing to rock failures that may result in injuries to mine workers and loss of production. Advance knowledge of the existence of such hazardous geologic features can aid in mine planning and development. Lineaments may be observed in a variety of images of the earth's surface. Linear features that can be observed using Landsat mu1ti spectral scanner data (MSS) images range from regional (greater than 3 miles in length) to an intermediate length of from 1 to 3 miles. These images are recorded in discrete radiation bands in the green, red, and near-infrared portions of the el ectromaynetic spectrum. These data are acquired from the EROS Data Center of the U.S Geological Survey, Sioux Falls, SD, in digital format on magnetic tapes that are suitable for processing on certain minicomputers. Shorter lineaments length (less than 1 mile) can be observed in high- to low-a1titude aerial photography, radar, and infrared images with image scale ratios of 1:1,000,000 or less. These linear features can correlate to smaller dimensioned faults, and to fracture and joint sets at the local geologic scale. Other informational sources can help substantiate 1ineament analyses, such as well logs, mine naps, topographic data, and geophysical data acquired over the study site. These data must be in a digital format to process on the "DEC PDP 11/23 minicomputer system1". Data can be acquired in