Ground Movement Analysis in Mining Systems
Summary
Ground movement analysis in mining systems examines the deformation and displacement of rock masses and surface strata induced by excavation activities. This field integrates field measurement, laboratory testing and numerical modelling to assess subsidence, strata dislocation and stress redistribution around underground workings. Techniques such as satellite‐based interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR), global navigation satellite system (GNSS) monitoring, extensometry and microseismic arrays provide real‐time data on roof convergence, wall heave and surface settlement. Numerical approaches range from finite element and finite difference methods to discrete element models and statistical damage frameworks, enabling simulation of failure mechanisms in heterogeneous rock. Outcomes guide support design, backfill strategy and extraction sequence to mitigate hazards, protect overlying infrastructure and optimise resource recovery. Applications span deep metal mines, coal panels and soft‐rock deposits, with growing emphasis on environmental stewardship, hazard zoning and integration of machine learning for pattern recognition in large‐scale monitoring datasets.
Research from Nature Portfolio
No recent Nature Portfolio content available.
Ground Movement Analysis in Mining Systems publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in ground movement analysis in mining systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Surface subsidence: The vertical displacement of the ground surface due to underground excavation.
Discrete element method (DEM): A numerical technique representing rock as an assembly of interacting particles or blocks.
Strain‐softening: Reduction in rock mass strength after peak stress is reached, accounting for progressive damage.
Caving mining: A method where unsupported roof strata collapse into the void created by ore extraction.
Backfill: Engineered material placed in mined‐out voids to support overburden and limit deformation.
References
- A Strain-Softening Constitutive Model of Heterogeneous Rock Mass Considering Statistical Damage and Its Application in Numerical Modeling of Deep Roadways. Sustainability (2019).
- Numerical Investigation on Stratum and Surface Deformation in Underground Phosphorite Mining Under Different Mining Methods. Frontiers in Earth Science (2022).
- Deformation Characteristics and Control Method of Kilometer-Depth Roadways in a Nickel Mine: A Case Study. Applied Sciences (2020).
- Numerical Simulation of Surface Subsidence and Backfill Material Movement Induced by Underground Mining. Advances in Civil Engineering (2019).
About these summaries
This Nature Research Intelligence Topic summary is created with the cited references and a large language model. We take care to ground generated text with facts, and have systems in place to gain human feedback on the overall quality of the process in line with our AI principles. We strive to create accurate and useful summaries for people unfamiliar with the research topic and that supports this goal. These pages are a beta release and will be updated as we learn how best to help people gain value from a research topic summary.
Turn complex research questions into confident strategic decisions
When you're under pressure to set direction, justify investment, or understand your competitive position, you need more than raw data — you need trusted insights you can act on.
Benchmark your performance against global peers using robust, methodologically sound analysis.
Combine quantitative metrics with qualitative expert insight to uncover strengths, gaps and emerging opportunities.
Gain tailored, decision-ready recommendations aligned to your strategic priorities.
Talk to us to learn more about our data dashboards and bespoke strategy reports.
Grow research skills, confidence and careers with training built for every stage of the research lifecycle.
Developed with Nature Portfolio journal Editors and internationally renowned experts. Discover three ways to learn:
Self-paced, online courses in convenient bite-sized units, covering key skills across scientific writing, publishing, grant writing, data analysis, and more.
Expert trainer-led workshops with hands-on exercises and real-time feedback across core research skills, delivered via interactive group sessions.
Editor-led workshops combining core principles in writing and publishing, personalised 1:1 feedback from Nature Portfolio Editors and hands-on exercises.
Explore course catalogues and workshop agendas, enquire about the options or request institutional pricing.