Constraints on Water-Rich Areas in Huangling Coal Mine Using High-Resolution Semi-Airborne Electromagnetic Imaging

Localized water-rich areas in aquifers can cause severe accidents during coal mining, including property damage and casualties. Traditional ground-based geophysical methods often struggle in the mountainous terrains where coal mines are typically located. To address this, we applied a high-resolution exploration and interpretation strategy based on advancements in semi-airborne transient electromagnetic (SATEM) technology, integrating drilling and logging to detect water-rich areas in the Huangling coal mine. Our approach involved acquiring high signal-to-noise ratio electromagnetic (EM) data near the transmitting line source, using unstructured tetrahedral meshes to simulate complex topography, and employing a quasi-Newton optimization algorithm for detailed 3-D inversion. Synthetic tests demonstrate the accuracy of this method in resolving underground conductivity structures, even in challenging terrains. Field data inversion showed a good fit with observed data and good agreement with resistivity logging, confirming the reliability of the results. This study not only addresses the critical need for efficient water hazard detection in coal mining but also offers significant potential for mineral exploration, geological surveying, and disaster prevention.