Geotechnical strategies to resume mining at Westwood mine following a MN3.7 seismic event: part 1 – the investigation

Authors: Jalbout, A Download Paper Open access courtesy of:

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2465_56

Cite As:
Jalbout, A 2024, 'Geotechnical strategies to resume mining at Westwood mine following a MN3.7 seismic event: part 1 – the investigation', in P Andrieux & D Cumming-Potvin (eds), Deep Mining 2024: Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Deep and High Stress Mining, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 889-904, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2465_56



Abstract:
A MN3.7 seismic event occurred on 30 October 2020, at Westwood mine. Following this event, the entire mine production was halted and the mine was put under care and maintenance. This decision was made to focus on understanding the mechanism of the event and to identify areas with potentially similar conditions. The paper aims to present the background information that was available prior to the event. Subsequently, the investigations were carried out to understand the mechanism of the seismic event. The investigations include geological, structural and geotechnical model updates, advanced seismic analyses, numerical stress modelling, integrated rockburst hazard assessment, as well as a complete review of the dynamic ground support standards of the mine.

Keywords: seismic risk, rockburst, stress modelling, rock mass characterisation, damage mapping, seismic Hazard Map. This paper is part of a larger paper made of two papers. Paper 1 Geotechnical strategies to resume mining at Westwood mine following a MN3.7 seismic events: part 1 – the investigation (this paper), addresses the investigation of rock mass behaviour characterisation. Paper 2 Geotechnical strategies to resume mining at Westwood mine following a MN3.7 seismic event: part 2 – the mitigation plan, addresses the implementation of a mitigation plan.

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