r/mining • u/Melodic-Sector-6396 • 5d ago
Other Looking for historical coal mine subsidence data
Hi everyone!
I’m a mining engineer currently working on a scientific research project on ground subsidence caused by underground coal mining.
For my research, I’m looking for historical case studies from former coal mines where both of the following are available, at least approximately:
- the geometry/location of the underground workings (mine plans, panel outlines, seam depth, dates of mining, etc.), and
- historical elevation/subsidence measurements, ideally as a time series from levelling surveys or other geodetic measurements.
What I’m particularly interested in is the temporal development of the subsidence i.e. repeated height measurements at known points over several years, preferably before, during and/or after mining. I don’t necessarily need a complete 3D model of the mine; even an approximate idea of the mined-out geometry together with a good historical levelling dataset would be very useful.
Does anyone know of publicly available datasets, archives, publications, mine reports, university repositories or government databases where this kind of information can be found?
I’m especially interested in historical coal-mining regions in Europe, but datasets from the UK, USA, Australia or elsewhere would also be very useful.
Even references to old technical papers or reports would help. I’m happy to dig through archival material myself :)
Thanks a lot!
Glück Auf!
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u/astrotundra 5d ago
The National Mine Map Repository may be of some use to you, it is US only though.
https://www.osmre.gov/programs/national-mine-map-repository
I use the web map and it can be a little finicky at times but still better than I’d have thought for grabbing old mine maps.
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u/Windcave42 5d ago edited 5d ago
Very cool. I knew each individual state use to have one, but i wasnt aware they put it altogether in one place
Edit: now that i look through it, the induvidual state sites seem to be better for looking at the maps together plotted across the land, without having to click on them and open them
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u/Hungry-Cow-3082 5d ago
A few useful starting points:
- Pennsylvania – I-79 Longwall Subsidence Study
Probably one of the closest matches to what you're looking for. It includes longwall panel geometry, mining depths, repeated surveying measurements, and time-dependent subsidence analysis.
- Poland – KWK ROW Rydułtowy Mine
GNSS deformation monitoring from 2018–2021, including measurements during and after longwall extraction. The paper also provides references to associated datasets.
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/16/3/1281
- Pennsylvania DEP – Longwall Mining GIS Database
Historical longwall panel boundaries and mining information. Could be useful for combining mine geometry with independent subsidence measurements.
https://pasda.psu.edu/uci/DataSummary.aspx?dataset=256
- UK – Mining Remediation Authority
An extensive archive of historical coal mine plans. You might need to contact them directly for historical levelling records.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/access-coal-mining-information-and-data
The I-79 study and the Polish case would probably be my first choices. Just keep in mind that published measurements don't necessarily mean the complete raw time-series datasets are publicly downloadable.
And a little tip: Might as well make the AI do some of the digging before asking Reddit to pick up the shovel. :)
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