Development of seismoacoustic monitoring techniques for underground coal mines in Australia

Experience is being gained in the development and application of seismoacoustic instrumentation and processing techniques for the detection and predictionof unstable and hazardous mining conditions in underground coal mines. This experience is being aided by the parallel development and introduction of in-seam seismic technology for coal seam exploration. Results of recent work involving the development of a relatively low-cost multi-channel computer-based microseismic monitoring system are presented. Practical observations of channel wave measurements undertaken in two mines are used to highlight some of the difficulties foreshadowed in the further development and application of acoustic emission concepts for hazard prediction in underground coal mines.