Robotham, S, Ormerod, T, Capes, G & Chester, C 2024, 'Cavability considerations for ore deposits with significant overburden  ', in Daniel Johansson & Håkan Schunnesson (eds), MassMin 2024: Proceedings of the International Conference & Exhibition on Mass Mining, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, pp. 120-135.
(https://papers.acg.uwa.edu.au/p/2435_A-11/)
Abstract: Assessing the viability of a mineral resource for block cave (BC) mining at depth presents a complex challenge. During early study phases, the scarcity of rock mass data and the extensive caving volume, contribute to the challenge. Consequently, there is a significant risk of misrepresenting the rock mass variability, which impacts the forecasting of caving hazards and consequently the downstream design of strategic mitigation controls. To highlight these challenges, this paper focuses on the common hazard of cave propagation and presents a review of published case studies. These examples include five hard rock block and sub-level caves (SLC) initiated at depths ranging from 500 to 1200 meters below the surface. Key considerations for the strategic assessment of caving hazards, based on insights from the case study review are presented for consideration. The proposed considerations aim to provide cave designers with a framework to developing a strategic design process including a basis for data sufficiency.