Geotechnical design of the McLellan Mine, Lynn Lake, Manitoba

• Main Author: Rotzien, Joey Lou
• Language: English
• Published: University of British Columbia 2010
• Subjects: Rock mechanics > Manitoba; Pillaring (Mining); Stoping (Mining); Ground control (Mining); McLellan Mine (Man.)
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/29751

The overall objective of any geotechnical mine design procedure must be to maximize the extraction of the ore reserves while maintaining the integrity of the working areas. At the McLellan Mine the cut-and-fill mining method was first adopted. This decision was made for flexibility in the size and shape of the mine openings to allow for the variability in width and grade of the ore zone. As a result the geotechnical design of the cut-and-fill stopes necessitated investigations to evaluate the character of the rock mass with regard to the hydrogeology, lithology, structural geology, rock strength and rock mass ratings at the site and to assess the in-situ stress conditions. In addition, the character of the backfill material had to be estimated prior to detailed testing. Based upon these parameters two dimensional finite element analyses were completed, the sill pillar and the two stopes were designed. Finally, remedial rock reinforcement was recommended for suspected unstable spans. === Applied Science, Faculty of === Mining Engineering, Keevil Institute of === Graduate