Evolution Characteristics of Groundwater System in Deep Mining Areas in Western China Based on Feflow Software

In the deep mining area of western China, there are abundant and high−quality Quaternary phreatic water and Cretaceous Luohe Formation aquifers, which serve as crucial recharge sources for the Chagannao Water Plant's drinking water supply and lake wetlands. This region exhibits high requirements for groundwater resource protection and sensitive water environments. This study aims to provide a reliable basis for future safe coal mining and comprehensive water resource utilization in the mining area. The research first determines the development height of water−conducting fracture zones after mining the 2−2 coal seam through similar simulation experiments. Subsequently, numerical simulation methods are employed to qualitatively describe the mutual influences and spatiotemporal evolution patterns among aquifers, while quantitatively analyzing the main controlling factors of aquifer recharge/discharge and mine water inflow. Key findings include: (1) The maximum height of water−conducting fractures reaches 148 m, not penetrating the Anding Formation aquiclude; (2) Mining activities cause significant water level decline in Zhiluo and Yan'an Formations, forming depression cones, while the Cretaceous Zhidan Group aquifer shows negligible water level changes; (3) The mine water inflow is calculated to be 17 032 m³/d. This study reveals the evolution patterns of overburden fracture fields and seepage fields during coal mining, and provides theoretical support for implementing "water−preserved coal mining" strategies in the area.