Sandy, MP, Gibson, W & Gaudreau, D 2007, 'Canadian and Australian Ground Support Practices in High Deformation Environments', in Y Potvin (ed.), Deep Mining 2007: Proceedings of the Fourth International Seminar on Deep and High Stress Mining, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 297-311, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/711_22
(https://papers.acg.uwa.edu.au/p/711_22_Sandy/)
Abstract: Ground support is often a substantial component of mining costs. Many mining operations face significant 
challenges as they progress to greater depths and the stress environment becomes more aggressive. At some 
point, the level of stress-related damage becomes such that large deformations occur at the excavation 
boundaries. Changes to ground support designs are then necessary to ensure development remains 
serviceable and rehabilitation costs are contained at acceptable levels.  
This paper presents case histories from several Australian and Canadian mines that have dealt with this 
transition and discusses some of the practical and technical issues involved in selecting the most appropriate 
support and reinforcement systems for particular conditions. 
The mechanisms controlling the deformation around the excavations are discussed in terms of their 
implications for support and reinforcement system design and selection.  
Numerical modelling of the stress-induced damage around the excavation has been undertaken and the 
results are compared with the observed mechanisms. Monitoring options are also discussed.