Methodology to determine the undercut height in Block/Panel Caving

Authors: Morales, D; Henríquez, J.P; Castro, R Download Paper

Cite As:
Morales, D, Henríquez, J.P & Castro, R 2024, 'Methodology to determine the undercut height in Block/Panel Caving ', in Daniel Johansson & Håkan Schunnesson (eds), MassMin 2024: Proceedings of the International Conference & Exhibition on Mass Mining, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, pp. 164-182.



Abstract:
The undercut corresponds to the methodology to induce the caving of the orebody in block caving mining, which is carried out by a basal cut on the block to be caved. Successful implementation of the undercut process requires careful management of several factors. Among them are the undercut height and the undercut geometry in the vertical section, which its impact has generally been ignored. This study provides a methodology for calculating the undercut height, considering design factors of the undercut level and production level for a Post-Undercutting caving method, and the air gap variable, normally not evaluated when determining an adequate undercut height. As part of the methodology, a parameterization is provided for the undercut height estimation, from which design abacuses are built to facilitate the evaluation of current and future operations for any Block/Panel Caving operation exploited using the Post-Undercutting variant. Finally, 2 case studies and application of this methodology are shown, showing how changes in the dimensions of the Crown Pillar and drawbells have a greater effect on the undercut height.