Evaluation of favorable blocks for surface drainage of CBM in Gaohe coal mine, Lu'an coalfield

CBM surface drainage, providing a new thinking and method for control of methane, has aroused attention of mine corporations and has been gradually applied. In the early days, coal exploration had little information of CBM, so did Gaohe coal mine. As a result, based on the new CBM exploration principle, the author reinterpreted results of coal exploration to dig the information of coal body structure, one of the most important factors influencinge valuation of favorable blocks for surface drainage of CBM. Through evaluating coalfield structure, coal body structure, methane content, coal seam depth and thickness one by one, combining with coal exploitation plan and comprehensive evaluation, the author thought that the northeast block was the best one for CBM surface drainage, and suggested to exploit firstly that part in Gaohe coal mine. This paper can be used for reference in evaluation of drainage conditions and block optimization.