A modelling approach for underground mine-scale analysis

Authors: Wang, X; Zeng, Z; Xing, A; Yan, G; Wang, X Download Paper Open access courtesy of:

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2465_90

Cite As:
Wang, X, Zeng, Z, Xing, A, Yan, G & Wang, X 2024, 'A modelling approach for underground mine-scale analysis', 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. 1365-1380, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2465_90



Abstract:
Deep and high stress underground mining normally has to address the challenges of mining safety and maintaining production capacity. Sishanling iron ore mine, located in Benxi, China, has an extra-thick (247 m) and large sized ore deposit. The first mining stope is located 1.2 km below the surface. To meet the production requirement, the stope is designed with dimensions of 20 m (width), 40 m (length) and 60 m (height), using a deep hole delayed backfilling method. Given the high ground stress conditions, stress management is essential for safe and efficient production from a strategic standpoint. Deep understanding of geological information and a proper mining sequence design are essential in terms of stress management. In this study, a 3D geological model was built using implicit modelling, using drillhole data as the primary geological information. The key components of the 3D geological model include data preprocessing, geological interfaces and block models. Moreover, a campaign of mechanical parameters for the core samples from drillholes was conducted, and the measured data was then interpolated and assigned into the block units within the geological model. Based on the actual scanned geometry data of ramp, drift, crosscut and, most importantly, the designed stope geometry, a mine-scale numerical model was built using FLAC3D to investigate the stability of stopes at mining levels. A numerical method considering development mining backfilling was proposed for underground metal mines. The stress evolution was studied for a simplified mining stope sequence, and the high-risk areas were investigated in terms of stress concentration at the mining front and the volume of the yield rock masses. The proposed comprehensive geological model and fullmine case modelling can provide a practical tool for the analysis and design of the optimal mining sequence.

Keywords: deep mining, ground stress control, 3D geological modelling, mine-wide numerical modelling

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