Subsidence Advisory NSW

Mine subsidence is the movement of the ground following the extraction of coal. After coal is extracted beneath the surface, the land above can sink. There are many contributing factors to mine subsidence. Subsidence can cause damage to buildings and other structures. Subsidence impacts to buildings and other structures vary depending on the depth o Subsidence impacts to buildings and other structures vary depending on the depth of the mining, the geology of the land, and how the coal was extracted. Subsidence caused by old inactive mines is generally localised and only affects a small area. Sometimes, collapses in the old mine workings result in a hole in the ground surface known as a 'subsidence hole'. Most active underground coal mines that operate throughout New South Wales today use longwall mining methods. Subsidence from longwall mining generally occurs over a large area, within a short time after the coal is extracted. This means there are minimal long term subsidence risks.