Influence of overburden combination structures on mining-induced fracture development and its height prediction for weakly consolidated formation in Western China

Key Points

• Fracture development significantly correlates with overburden structures, impacting mining safety.
• Key evidence shows that specific overburden types contribute to fracture variations in weakly consolidated formations.
• Observational analysis across Western China evaluates mining-induced stress effects on fracture patterns.
• Understanding these influences may enhance predictive models for geological stability and mining operations.