A profile function to predict surface subsidence for down-cut slicing panels into inclined coal seam of the Barapukuria coal mine, Bangladesh

Mining-induced subsidence, a typical consequence of underground mining, can cause environmental and structural problems in the mine area. Predicting surface subsidence for inclined and deep seams has been less emphasized than horizontal seams, mainly due to the complexities of extracting such coal seams. The prediction of surface subsidence and the dynamics of subsidence in down-cut slicing panels is more complex and crucial in practice. This study presents a novel profile function method for forecasting surface subsidence resulting from downward slicing panels in the inclined coal seam mining of the Barapukuria coal mine. The calculated maximum subsidence depth is 10.23 meters whereas the measured maximum water depth of the subsided lake of the Barapukuria coal mine is 10.5 meters. The results indicate a strong correlation between the predicted and the measured values.