Rock mechanics tools for mining in high stress ground conditions at Nickel Rim South Mine

Authors: Jalbout, A; Simser, B Download Paper

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1410_11_Jalbout

Cite As:
Jalbout, A & Simser, B 2014, 'Rock mechanics tools for mining in high stress ground conditions at Nickel Rim South Mine', in M Hudyma & Y Potvin (eds), Deep Mining 2014: Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on Deep and High Stress Mining, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 189-208, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1410_11_Jalbout



Abstract:
Nickel Rim South Mine of Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations (Sudbury INO), A Glencore Company, has challenging ground conditions related to: complex geological structure; depth of the current orebody (from 1,160-1,710 m below surface); the mine layout where two sills were required; the draw point pillar geometry; and the type of ground support that has been used during the project ramp up phase. In order to manage the risk associated with mining while these conditions exist, sophisticated and state of the art tools have been used to predict the ground response to mining activities. The overall mine layout and rock mechanics issues are discussed. Analysis techniques using high resolution seismic monitoring, non-linear numerical models, cad/database linked models to assess geotechnical hazard, and high end microseismic analysis software are shown as examples.

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