This book illustrates how mine seismology can be used to improve underground safety standards. It describes several preventive actions that have been put into practice at the 5B Area of No. 5 Shaft Vaal Reefs gold mine after issuing seismic warnings. These included additional safety pillars, changes in mining sequences and directions, and a review of the mining strategy for the entire 5B area.The presented experiment with seismic warning concept was a success because it was an inte...

This book offers an in-depth analysis and interpretation methods applicable to mine-induced seismicity. It is based on over 40 years of experience in mine and exploration geophysics. Another unique feature of this book is the complete history of the caving process as evidenced by the recorded seismicity at the South African copper mine Palabora Lift 1. Until now, the literature has only presented theory and case studies discussing the interpretation of results, and there has been no discus...

This book presents the results of seismic data analysis and interpretation based on nearly one million seismic events. This seismicity was induced by the caving process in four copper mines, each located on a different continent. The book not only serves as an interpretation guide, it also illustrates the benefits of evaluating data from different mines:How to establish which seismic data base is faulty and whyThe formation of a universal seismic respon...