Mining Institute of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Perm, Russia):

Baryakh A. A., Director, Professor, Doctor of Engineering Sciences, e-mail: bar@mi-perm.ru

Sanfirov I. A., Deputy Director, Professor, Doctor of Engineering Sciences

Dyagilev R. A., Head of Laboratory, Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences

The article shows negative consequences caused by large-scale mining accident – flooding of potassium mine. Accident circumstances and first consequences related with localization of the area of waterproof stratum disruption and with estimation of possible sinkhole size on the surface after underground caving in salt rock owing to its dissloving are under discussion. To find answers, complex geophysical observations and interpretational geotechnical investigation were carried out as on-line monitoring. The sinkhole had appeared in July 2007. Its location and size agree rather satisfactorily with predicting estimations obtained as soon as accident happened. More long-term consequences of flooding are connected with intensification of surface deformation due to dissolving of constructive elements (pillars, camera roof and floor) in mine. Prediction of degree of salt dissolving and expected surface subsidence was based on modeling of hydrogeochemical and geotechnical situation. At present time negative consequences of flooding are still actual. Surface subsidence is continuing, several sinkholes had appeared on the surface after falling roof of underground caves that formed due to salt rock dissolving when mine had been flooded. The complex monitoring is continuing now. Obtained information is the base for local authority to elaborate proper decisions aimed on minimization of negative flooding consequences with regard to urban infrastructure and population.

The work has been made financial support of the projects 12-T-5-1009 in the framework of the program No. 3 of the Department of Earth Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

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