Geotechnical strategies to resume mining at Westwood mine following a MN3.7 seismic event: part 2 – the mitigation plan

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

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2465_57

Cite As:
Jalbout, A 2024, 'Geotechnical strategies to resume mining at Westwood mine following a MN3.7 seismic event: part 2 – the mitigation plan', 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. 905-920, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2465_57



Abstract:
A MN3.7 seismic event occurred on 30 October 2020, at Westwood mine. Following the event, the entire mine production was halted to focus on understanding the mechanism of the event and to identify areas with potentially similar conditions. The current paper presents the background information that was available prior to the event. Subsequently, investigations were carried out to understand the mechanism of the seismic event and included: 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. Finally, a very detailed risk register was prepared to identify ground control related hazards and to establish a mitigation measure plan process (i.e. risk identification, existing mitigation measures, current hazard levels, proposed mitigation measures as well as residual hazard levels).

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, 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 (this paper), addresses the implementation of a mitigation plan.

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