Identification of inrush water recharge sources using hydrochemistry and stable isotopes: A case study of Mindong No. 1 coal mine in north-east Inner Mongolia, China.

Rapid identification of inrush water sources is vital for the safe operation of a coal mine. Hydrogeochemical (fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method and cluster analysis method) and isotope analyses are applied to identify the inrush water sources of the Mindong No. 1 mine, which is located in north-east Inner Mongolia, China. The clustering analysis and isotope analysis results show that the inrush water sources are from aquifer 1 (A1), aquifer 2 (A2) and Yimin river. However, fuzzy comprehensive evaluation shows that the inrush water sources are from A2, aquifer 3 (A3) and Yimin river. Considering the hydrogeological conditions of the study area, it is concluded that the inrush water sources are A1, A2 and Yimin river, with mixing ratios of 30.8%, 60.6% and 8.6%, respectively. The application of multiple methods makes the conclusion more reliable. Additionally, this study improves the speed and effectiveness of the identification of inrush water sources in coal mines and provides a practical reference for research related to mine water inrush to ensure the safe operation of coal mines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]