A new concept of backfll design—Application of wick drains in backflled stopes

Backflling represents an environmentally friendly mining waste disposal technique.It is increasingly used in underground mines all over the world.However,its primary purpose remains to improve ground stability and to reduce ore dilution.Previous investigations have shown that fll drainage plays a key role in backfll and barricade design.With a poor drainage system in the backflled stope,the required dimension of barricade,which is constructed at the base of the stope near the drift entrance,has to be increased.A poor backfll drainage system can also lead to a signifcant increase in drainage waiting time and further reduction in mining productivity.In this paper,the drainage of conventional backfll design in backflled stopes is briefly reviewed.For the frst time,the application of the wick drain is introduced in the backfll within mine stopes.The drainage improvement from the introduction of the wick drain is illustrated using numerical modeling.

Orthogonal design and numerical simulation of room and pillar configurations in fractured stopes

Room and pillar sizes are key factors for safe mining and ore recovery in open-stope mining. To investigate the influence of room and pillar configurations on stope stability in highly fractured and weakened areas, an orthogonal design with two factors, three levels and nine runs was proposed, followed by three-dimensional numerical simulation using ANSYS and FLAC3~. Results show that surface settlement after excavation is concentrically ringed, and increases with the decrease of pillar width and distances to stope gobs. In the meantime, the ore-control fault at the ore-rock boundary and the fractured argillaceous dolomite with intercalated slate at the hanging wall deteriorate the roof settlement. Additionally, stope stability is challenged due to pillar rheological yield and stress concentration, and both are induced by redistribution of stress and plastic zones after mining. Following an objective function and a constraint function, room and pillar configuration with widths of 14 m and 16 m, respectively, is presented as the optimization for improving the ore recovery rate while maintaining a safe working environment.

Similarity model tests of movement and deformation of coal-rock mass below stopes

For a study of the movement and deformation of coal-rock mass and low protected seams below a stope,as well as for fracture developments and rules of evolution of permeability,we designed a plane strain model test stand to carry out model tests of similar materials in order to improve the effect of gas drainage from low protected seams and to measure the movement and deformation of coal-rock mass using a method of non-contact close-range photogrammetry.Our results show that 1) using paraffin melting to take the place of coal seam mining can satisfy the mining conditions of a protective seam;2) coal-rock mass under goafs has an upward movement after the protective seam has been mined,causing floor heaving;3) low protected seams become swollen and deformed,providing a good pressure-relief effect and causing the coal-rock mass under both sides of coal pillars to become deformed by compression and 4) the evolution of permeability of low protected seams follows the way of initial values→a slight decrease→a great increase→stability→final decrease.Simultaneously,the coefficient of air permeability increased at a decreasing rate with an increase in interlayer spacing.

Safety analysis of Sormeh underground mine to improve sublevel stoping stability

In underground mines,sublevel stoping is used among a variety of different methods for mining an orebody,which creates large underground openings.In this case,the stability of these openings is affected by a number of factors,including the geometrical characteristics of the rock and mining-induced stresses.In this study,a sensitivity analysis was conducted with the numerical,squat pillar,and Mathews stability methods using the Taguchi technique to properly understand the influence of geometric parameters and stress on stope stability according to Sormeh underground mine data.The results show a full factorial analysis is more reliable since stope stability is a complex process.Furthermore,the numerical results indicate that overburden stress has the most impact on stope stability,followed by stope height.However,the results obtained with Mathews and squat pillar methods show that stope height has the greatest impact,followed by overburden stress and span.It appears that these methods overestimate the impact of stope height.Therefore,it is highly recommended that Mathews and squat pillar methods should not be used in high stope that is divided with several sill pillars.Nonetheless,Mathews method cannot accurately predict how the sill pillar impacts the stope stability.In addition,numerical analysis shows that all geometric parameters affect the roof safety factor,whereas the sill pillar has no significant influence on the safety factor of the hanging wall,which is primarily determined by the stope height–span ratio.

Safe mining technology of undersea metal mine

Xinli district of Sanshandao Gold Mine is the first subsea metal mine in China.To achieve 6 kt/d production capacity under the premise of safe mining,high-intensity mining might destroy the in-situ stress filed and the stability of rockmass.According to sampling and testing of ore-rock and backfill and in-situ stress field measurement,safety factor method calculation model based on stress-strain strength reduction at arbitrary points and Mohr-Coulomb yield criterion was established and limit displacement subsidence values under the safety factor of different limit stoping steps were calculated.The results from three years in-situ mining and strata movement monitoring using multi-point displacements meter showed that the lower settlement frame stope hierarchical level filling mining method,mining sequence are reasonable and rockmass stability evaluation using safety factor method,in-situ real-time monitoring can provide the technical foundation for the safety of seabed mining.

Experimental study of the shrinkage behavior of cemented paste backfill

Cemented paste backfill(CPB)is largely used in underground mine stopes worldwide.When a CPB is placed in a stope,an important task is to estimate the settlement associated with the shrinkage and selfweight consolidation of the CPB.This is closely related to the volume management to ensure the stability of barricades and tight contacts between the backfill and stope roof.Over the years,shrinkage studies were mostly performed on fine-grained soils(silts and clays),with only a few publications on the shrinkage behavior of uncemented tailings.No study has been published on the shrinkage behavior of CPB.To fill this gap,a series of shrinkage tests has been conducted on CPB with different cement contents,including zero cement content(uncemented paste backfill,uCPB).The results show that the shrinkage response of CPB is very different from that of uCPB.At a given initial water content,CPB exhibits a shorter normal shrinkage stage than uCPB.The unsaturation onset water content and void ratio,shrinkage limit and final void ratio of CPB are generally higher than those of uCPB.At a given cement content,the shrinkage behaviors of CPB and uCPB are significantly influenced by the initial water content.

A numerical evaluation of continuous backfilling in cemented paste backfilled stope through an application of wick drains

Cemented paste backfill （CPB） is gaining popularity in many underground mines worldwide. Sufficient water is added into CPB to make a flowable material for pipe transportation. Barricades are built near the drawpoints to prevent in-rush of the fill slurry. To avoid barricade failures resulting from excessive backfill pressures, backfilling is typically performed with a plug pour followed by a final pour. The interval between the two pours should be shortened or removed to increase mining productivity and avoid pipe clogging. Recently, Li proposed to apply wick drains in backfilled stopes to promote drainage and consolidation. The preliminary simulations by considering an instantaneous filling indicated that the drainage of CPB can be significantly accelerated by using wick drains. Barricade was not considered. Here, some new numerical modeUings are presented with more representative filling sequences, stope geometry, and different draining configurations. The results illustrate that the stope can be backfilled continuously by using wick drains.

Integration system research and development for three-dimensional laser scanning information visualization in goaf

An integration processing system of three-dimensional laser scanning information visualization in goaf was developed. It is provided with multiple functions, such as laser scanning information management for goaf, cloud data de-noising optimization, construction, display and operation of three-dimensional model, model editing, profile generation, calculation of goaf volume and roof area, Boolean calculation among models and interaction with the third party soft ware. Concerning this system with a concise interface, plentiful data input/output interfaces, it is featured with high integration, simple and convenient operations of applications. According to practice, in addition to being well-adapted, this system is favorably reliable and stable.

Evaluation of the effect of geometrical parameters on stope probability of failure in the open stoping method using numerical modeling

Stress-induced failure is among the most common causes of instability in Canadian deep underground mines.Open stoping is the most widely practiced underground excavation method in these mines,and creates large stopes which are subjected to stress-induced failure.The probability of failure(POF)depends on many factors,of which the geometry of an open stope is especially important.In this study,a methodology is proposed to assess the effect of stope geometrical parameters on the POF,using numerical modelling.Different ranges for each input parameter are defined according to previous surveys on open stope geometry in a number of Canadian underground mines.A Monte-Carlo simulation technique is combined with the finite difference code FLAC3D,to generate model realizations containing stopes with different geometrical features.The probability of failure(POF)for different categories of stope geometry,is calculated by considering two modes of failure;relaxation-related gravity driven(tensile)failure and rock mass brittle failure.The individual and interactive effects of stope geometrical parameters on the POF,are analyzed using a general multi-level factorial design.Finally,mathematical optimization techniques are employed to estimate the most stable stope conditions,by determining the optimal ranges for each stope’s geometrical parameter.

Cavity 3D modeling and correlative techniques based on cavity monitoring

According to the mining method for Dongguashan Copper Mine and Tongkeng Mine in China, and with the help of the cavity monitoring system（CMS） and mining software Surpac, the 3D cavity models were established exactly. A series of correlative techniques for calculating stope over-excavation and under-excavation, stope dilution and ore loss rates, and the blasting design of the pillar with complicated irregular boundaries were developed. These techniques were applied in Dongguashan Copper Mine and Tongkeng Mine successfully. Using these techniques, the dilution rates of stopes 52-2^#, 52-6^#, 52-8^#and 52-10^# of Dongguashan Copper Mine are calculated to be 2.12%, 8.46%, 12-67% and 10.68%, respectively, and the ore loss rates of stopes 52-6^# and 5-8^# are 4.41% and 3.70%, severally. Furthermore, according to the design accomplished by the technique for a pillar of Tongkeng Mine with irregular boundary, the volume, total length of boreholes and the dynamite quantity of the pillar are computed to be 1.2 ×10^4 m^3, 2.98 km and 10.97 t, correspondingly.

Pre-reinforcement grout in fractured rock masses and numerical simulation for optimizing shrinkage stoping configuration

Proper room and pillar sizes are both critical factors for safe mining and high ore recovery rate in shrinkage stoping mining of underground metal mines. The rock masses of Tangdan copper mine of China are fractured, which needs much reinforcement and support prior to mining. Cement-sodium silicate grout technology was selected, then its related parameters such as grout pressure, diffusion radius and time were calculated and proposed. In order to test the effect of the pressured grout in the fractured No.4 ore block, field experiments were conducted. To optimize stoping configuration, three-dimensional numerical simulation with ANSYS and FLAC 3 D softwares was proposed. The results show that the drilling porosity and mechanical properties of the rock masses are increased obviously. After grout, ore recovery rate is increased by 10.2 % employing the newly designed stoping configuration compared with the previous. Last, analyzed from the surface movements, roof subsidence and the maximum principal stress of the pillars, the mining safety is probable of being ensured.

3-D numerical modelling of Domino failure of hard rock pillars in Fetr6 Chromite Mine, Iran, and comparison with empirical methods

Fetr6 is an underground mine using the stope-and-pillar mining method. As there was some evidence regarding pillar failure in this mine, improving works such as roof support and replacing existing pillars with concrete pillars (CP) were carried out. During the construction of the second CP, in the space between the remaining pillars, one of the pillars failed leading to the progressive failure of other pillars until 4 000 m 2 of mine had collapsed within a few minutes. In this work, this phenomenon is described by applying both numerical and empirical methods and the respective results are compared. The results of numerical modelling are found to be closer to the actual condition than those of the empirical method. Also, a width-to-height (W/H) ratio less than 1, an inadequate support system and the absence of a detailed program for pillar recovery are shown to be the most important causes of the Domino failure in this mine.

Comparative stability analyses of traditional and selective room-and-pillar mining techniques for sub-horizontal tungsten veins

The stability and productivity concerning a modification on the traditional room and pillar for a new selective technique at the Portuguese Panasqueira Mine have been described.The traditional room-and-pillar stoping uses 5.0-m wide rooms with 3.0 m×3.0 m pillars,while the selective room-and-pillar mining technique consists in stoping with rooms of 4.0 m wide and pillars of 4 m×4 m with a subsequent selective cutting of the quartz veins at the mid pillar of approximately 0.5 m high,to obtain a pillar section with an area of 3.0 m×3.0 m.The stability and productivity analyses indicate that the selective technique obtains smaller average pillar safety factor,more rock mass displacement,more extraction and selectivity ratios,and ore grade improvement,compared with the traditional technique.These results show that the selective technique is also more convenient.This proposed selective room-and-pillar mining technique is applicable to any sub-horizontal narrow quartz veins with wolfram,gold,etc.such as the famous La Rinconada gold mine in the Peruvian Andes.

Comprehensive safety factor of roof in goaf underdeep high stress

The safety factor of roof under deep high stress is a quantitative index for evaluating roof stability.Based on the failure mode of surrounding rock of stope roof,the mechanics model of goaf roof is constructed,and the internal force of roof is deduced by the theory of hingeless arch.The calculation method of roof safety factor(K)under the environment of deep mining is proposed in view of compression failure and shear failure of roof.The calculation formulas of shear safety factor(K1),compression safety factor(K2)and comprehensive safety factor(K)of roof are given.The influence of stope span and roof thickness on roof stability is considered in this paper.The results show that when the roof thickness remains constant,the roof safety factor decreases with the increasing of the stope span;when the stope span remains constant,the roof safety factor increases with the increasing of the roof thickness.The deep mining example shows that when the stope span is 30 m and the roof thickness is 10 m,the roof comprehensive safety factor is 1.12,which indicates the roof is in a stable state.

Three-dimensional numerical simulation of methane drainage by high-level drill holes in a lower protective coal seam with a “U” type face

Different drill-hole positions may produce different drainage results in low protective coal seams.To investigate this possibility,a 3D stope model is established,which covers three kinds of drill holes.The FLUENT computational fluid mechanics software is used to solve the mass,momentum and species conservation equations of the model.The spatial distributions of oxygen and methane was obtained by calculations and the drainage results of different drill-hole positions were compared.The results show that,from top to bottom,methane dilution by oxygen weakens gradually from the intake to the return side,and methane tends to float;methane and oxygen distribute horizontally.The high-level crossing holes contribute to better methane drainage and a greater level of control.Around these holes,the methane density decreases dramatically and a "half circle"distribution is formed.The methane density decreases on the whole,but a proportion of the methane moves back to deep into the goaf.The research findings provide theoretical grounds for methane drainage.

Evaluation of the use of sublevel open stoping in the mining of moderately dipping medium-thick orebodies

The flow of blasted ore during mining of moderately dipping medium-thick orebodies is a challenge.Selecting a suitable mining system for such ore bodies is difficult.This paper proposes a diamond layout sublevel open stoping system using fan blastholes with backfilling to mine such orebodies.To evaluate the performance of system the relationships between ore recovery and stope footwall dip angle,footwall surface roughness,drawpoint spacing and production blast ring burden were investigated.An ore recovery data set from 81 laboratory physical model experiments was established from combinations of the listed factors.Various modules in a back propagation neural network structure were compared,and an optimal network structure identified.An ore recovery backpropagation neural network(BPNN)forecast model was developed.Using the model and sensitivity analysis of the factors affecting the proposed open stope mining system,the significance of each factor on ore recovery was studied.The study results were applied to a case study at the Shandong Gold Group Jiaojia Gold Mine.The results showed that the application of a BPNN and sensitivity analysis models for ore recovery prediction in the proposed mining system and field experimental results confirm that the suggested mining method is feasible.

Volumetric analysis of rock mass instability around haulage drifts in underground mines

Haulage networks are vital to underground mining operations as they constitute the arteries through which blasted ore is transported to surface. In the sublevel stoping method and its variations, haulage drifts are excavated in advance near the ore block that will be mined out. Numerical modeling is a technique that is frequently employed to assess the redistribution of mining-induced stresses, and to compare the impact of different stope sequence scenarios on haulage network stability. In this study,typical geological settings in the Canadian Shield were replicated in a numerical model with a steeplydipping tabular orebody striking EW. All other formations trended in the same direction except for two dykes on either side of the orebody with a WNW-ESE strike. Rock mass properties and in situ stress measurements from a case study mine were used to calibrate the model. Drifts and crosscuts were excavated in the footwall and two stope sequence scenarios-a diminishing pillar and a center-out one-were implemented in 24 mining stages. A combined volumetric-numerical analysis was conducted for two active levels by comparing the extent of unstable rock mass at each stage using shear,compressive, and tensile instability criteria. Comparisons were made between the orebody and the host rock, between the footwall and hanging wall, and between the two stope sequence scenarios. It was determined that in general, the center-out option provided a larger volume of instability with the shear criterion when compared to the diminishing pillar one(625,477 m~3 compared to 586,774 m~3 in the orebody; 588 m~3 compared to 403 m~3 in the host rock). However, the reverse was true for tensile(134,298 m~3 compared to 128,834 m~3 in the orebody; 91,347 m~3 compared to 67,655 m~3 in the host rock)instability where the diminishing pillar option had the more voluminous share.

Evaluation on Stability of Stope Structure Based on Nonlinear Dynamics of Coupling Artificial Neural Network

The nonlinear dynamical behaviors of artificial neural network (ANN) and their application to science and engineering were summarized. The mechanism of two kinds of dynamical processes, i.e. weight dynamics and activation dynamics in neural networks, and the stability of computing in structural analysis and design were stated briefly. It was successfully applied to nonlinear neural network to evaluate the stability of underground stope structure in a gold mine. With the application of BP network, it is proven that the neuro-com- puting is a practical and advanced tool for solving large-scale underground rock engineering problems.

3D structure parameterization design and modeling for irregular structure of stope bottom

Stope mining design is a very important and complicated task in daily production design and technical management of an underground mine.Based on workface technology and human-computer interaction technology,this study introduces a method of 3D parametric design for the irregular structure of stope bottoms,and focuses on solving technical problems in surface modeling of stope bottom structure.Optimization of the minimum span length algorithm(MSLA) and the shortest path search algorithm(SPSA) is conducted to solve the problem of contour-line based instant modeling of stope bottom structures,which makes possible the 3D parametric design for irregular structure of stope bottom.Implementation process and relevant methods of the proposed algorithms are also presented.Feasibility and reliability of the proposed modeling method are testified in a case study.In practice,the proposed 3 D parameterization design method for irregular structure stope bottom proves to be very helpful to precise 3D parametric design.This method is capable of contributing to improved efficiency and precision of stope design,and is worthy of promotion.