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Quantification and prediction of wall slough in open stope mining methods

University of British Columbia

The objective of this thesis is to present a reliable estimate of dilution that can be readily applied for evaluating open stope stability. In the past, dilution has been a difficult term to quantify due to the inaccessibility of representative data. With the introduction of the Cavity Monitoring System (CMS), it is now practical for mine operators to collect realistic, threedimensional stope profiles for the purpose of identifying unplanned dilution in the form of wall slough. This thesis describes a methodology for interpreting CMS data. Analysis of CMS data enables one to identify and measure unplanned dilution. It is proposed that unplanned dilution be represented in the form of Equivalent Linear Over-break Slough (ELOS) measurements. Since dilution is considered an ideal measure of stope performance, it will be used to calibrate several commonly used stope design curves. In order to facilitate calibration, a CMS database (96 obs.) has been accumulated from various Canadian underground open stoping operations. The bulk of the database has been collected from the Detour Lake Mine (DLM), Placer Dome Canada over a period of two years. At DLM, three baseline design curves have been developed and successfully calibrated for implementation: • Pillar Failure Curve (3-D Numerical Modelling) • Blast Damage Criteria (Vibration Monitoring - Scaled Distance Approach) • Open Stope Design (Modified Stability Method). It has been found that the CMS instrument provides the most reliable information for calculating dilution and calibrating design curves. The application of these design tools will enable the mine operator to anticipate and hence reduce dilution incurred from open stope mining methods.

Thesis/Dissertation

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2009-03-21

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/6329

Mining Engineering

University of British Columbia

UBCV

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