Full Length Article
An operational approach to ground control in deep mines

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2021.05.008Get rights and content
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Abstract

As mines go deeper and get larger, mine designs become more fragile largely due to the response of the rock mass to mining. Ground control and rock support become important levers in the mine construction schedule, production performance, and excavation health. For example, in cave mines, the production footprint together with associated mine infrastructure are significant investments in a modern caving operation. This investment must be protected and maintained to reduce the risk of ground-related production disruptions. It is necessary to preserve the health of these excavations and their maintenance through an effective rock support design. Rock support thus becomes a strategic element in asset management. This article focuses on support design for brittle ground when displacements induced by stress-fracturing consume much of the support's capacity. It deals with the functionality of the support in deforming ground. Several interlinked concepts are important when assessing excavation health. Designs must not only account for load equilibrium but also for deformation compatibility and capacity consumption. Most importantly, the support's displacement capacity is being consumed when the rock mass is deformed after support installation. Hence, it is necessary to design for the support capacity remaining at the time when the support is needed. If support capacity can be consumed, it can also be restored by means of preventive support maintenance (PSM). This concept for cost-effective ground control is introduced and illustrated on operational evidence. Furthermore, how design can impact construction costs and schedule are discussed. Support is installed to provide a safe environment and preserve an operationally functional excavation. It also must assure senior management that investments in high quality support and its maintenance will substantially reduce delays and with it, costs. It is demonstrated that the use of ‘gabion-like’ support systems can achieve these goals. A technical summary of the ‘gabion panel’ support system design is presented.

Keywords

Ground control
Rock support
Deformation-based support design (DBSD)
Gabion panel
Deep mining
Support consumption
Preventive support maintenance (PSM)
Asset management

Cited by (0)

Allan Moss is president of Sonal Mining Technology, an owner operated company specialising in technical aspects of underground bulk mining operations and the application of technology to underground mining. Allan has been active in underground mining for over 45 years and in caving for 20 years. Formerly a General Manager with Rio Tinto's Copper Group, Allan now provides independent technical advice on caving, chairing Newcrest's Caving Advisory Panel (Cadia, Telfer and Red Chris mines) and providing independent advice to Grasberg operations. He is an Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia, teaching the practice of caving and chairing the International Caving Research Network (ICaRN) at the University of British Columbia (UBC).

Peer review under responsibility of Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences.