Underground mining of ore deposits while keeping the earth's surface

• Main Authors: V. I. Golik, V. V. Vernigor, V. B. Kelekhsaev, Yu. Mystrov
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: National University of Science and Technology MISiS 2018-09-01
• Series: Горные науки и технологии
• Subjects: stress; rock; earth's surface; technology; geotechnics; mining; environment
• Online Access: https://mst.misis.ru/jour/article/view/117

In market economy, quality indicators of the extracted minerals are of particular importance. Decreasing ore losses and dilution can be achieved by controlling stress and strain using the residual bearing capacity of the broken rocks with the priority condition of preserving the earth's surface from collapse. The study aim is to substantiate rational parameters of mining methods based on the criterion of geodynamic safety. The aim is achieved by solving a set of mining tasks that ensures correctness of the obtained results, from assessing geotechnical condition to developing measures to prevent environmental impact of mining operations. The research methods include systematization and review of theory and practice, results of experimental studies and scientific forecasting. Importance of the mining system optimality criterion reflecting preserving the earth's surface from collapse to prevent contacting mining zone with habitat of beings (flora, fauna, and humans) has been substantiated. The mechanism of structural blocks interaction in discrete gravitational-tectonic-structural field has been detailed. The mechanism of broken rock blocks residual bearing capacity manifestation was clarified. The ways to increase the residual bearing capacity are: limiting the span size, optimizing strength of backfilling mixtures and pillar size to create geotechnically stable areas with minimizing the cost of managing the earth’s surface condition. Typification of methods for calculating spans of flat roof is proposed. Classification of rock mass management methods is given, the feature of which is assessing the worked out space condition as of pillar extraction completion, but not at the time of stoping. An example of the earth's surface preservation during mining of flat-dipping deposit with preservation of the earth's surface without backfilling the voids is given. Managing the condition of rock masses and the earth's surface above them allows monitoring of mining at all LoM stages. The use of geotechnical factors in organizing mineral extraction is a tool for implementing resource-saving and environmental-friendly trends in mining and a way to improve quality of ore mined while ensuring the enterprise competitiveness.