Correlation and regression analysis of natural electromagnetic and acoustic emission activity in rock samples of the Oktyabrsky deposit

This article is devoted to the development of approaches to local prediction of rock mass conditions and stability monitoring in underground workings using measurements of acoustic and natural electromagnetic emission to assess stress redistribution in rock mass before its critical state is reached. Measurements of acoustic emission in underground workings are successfully used for the stress–strain behavior prediction in rocks and are included in working regulatory documents at some mines. However, acoustic emission measurement requires a stable contact between attachable or downhole (micro downhole) sensors and rock mass, which means additional associate work to be carried out and, as a result, increases the time of research and prediction. Measurement of natural electromagnetic emission in mine workings is a promising direction in predictive research. Its undeniable advantage is the possibility of real-time observations over rock mass condition. In order to find the relationship between the activity of acoustic and natural electromagnetic emission and the increase in stresses in rocks, laboratory tests of rock samples from the Oktyabrsky deposit were performed. The studies of acoustic and electromagnetic signal flows under uniaxial compression with synchronized registration were carried out on the prepared samples of the main rock types of the Oktyabrsky deposit. The performed studies demonstrate the prospects of the technology based on the natural electromagnetic emission generated by rocks under critical stresses for the local prediction objectives.