UNDERGROUND Mining Methods Engineering Fundamentals and International Case Studies Edited by William A. Hustrulid and Richard L. Bullock Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc. (SME) 8307 Shaffer Parkway Littleton, Colorado, USA 80127 (303) 973-9550 / (800) 763-3132 www.smenet.org SME advances the worldwide minerals community through information exchange and professional development. SME is the world’s largest professional association of minerals professionals. Copyright 0 2001 Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Disclaimer The papers contained in this volume are published as supplied by individual authors. Any statement or views pre- sented here are those of individual authors and are not necessarily those of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc. The mention of trade names for commercial products does not imply the approval or endorsement of SME. Cover images contributed by The Itasca Consulting Group, the Climax Molybdenum Company, and LKAB. ISBN 0-87335-193-2 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-PublicationD ata Underground mining methods : engineering fundamentals and international case studies / edited by William A. Hustrulid and Richard L. Bullock. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-87335-193-2 1. Mining engineering. I. Hustrulid, W.A. II., Bullock, Richard L. TN145.U53 2001 622.2--d~21 2001027301 .............. Preface In 1556, Georgius Agricola wrote De Re Metallica, one of the first another man’s property and so make trouble for himself, and probably the most famous of mining reference works. In and that he may fulfill his obligations to others according Book 1, he reflects rather elegantly on mining and miners. to the law. It is therefore necessary that those who take an inter- Many persons hold the opinion that the metal indus- est in the methods and precepts of mining and metallurgy tries are fortuitous and that the occupation is one of sordid should read these and others of our books studiously and toil, and altogether a kind of business requiring not so diligently; or on every point they should consult expert much skill as labour. But as for myself, when I reflect care- mining people, though they will discover few who are fully upon its special points one by one, it appears to be far skilled in the whole art. As a rule one man understands otherwise. For a miner must have the greatest skill in his only the methods of mining, another processes the knowl- work, that he may know first of all what mountain or hill, edge of washing, another is experienced in the art of what valley or plain, can be prospected most profitably, or smelting, another has a knowledge of measuring the hid- what he should leave alone; moreover, he must under- den parts of the earth, another is skilful in the art of mak- stand the veins, stringers, and seams in the rocks. Then he ing machines, and finally, another is learned in mining must be thoroughly familiar with the many and varied spe- law. But as for us, though we may not have perfected the cies of earths, juices, gems, stones, marbles, rocks, metals, whole art of the discovery and preparation of metals, at and compounds. He must also have a complete knowledge least we can be of great assistance to persons studious in of the method of making all underground works. Lastly, its acquisition. there are the various systems of assaying substances and of preparing them for smelting; and here again there are In continuing along the path of Agricola, the Society for many altogether diverse methods. Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, Inc. (SME), has provided Furthermore, there are many arts and sciences of the focus, stimulus, and support for a number of books covering which a miner should not be ignorant. First there is Phi- the different interests and needs of its membership, the mining losophy, that he may discern the origin, cause, and nature community as a whole, and the public it serves. Although a rather of subterranean things; for then he will be able to dig out recent effort had produced the SME Mining Engineering Hand- the veins easily and advantageously, and to obtain more book, in 1974, some people felt that a book devoted strictly to abundant results from his mining. Secondly, there is Med- underground mining was needed, one which could be used for icine, that he may be able to look after his diggers and the training of new mining engineers as well as serving as a other workmen, that they do not meet with those diseases reference book for those already in the field. The SME Book to which they are more liable than workmen in other Publishing Committee agreed, and the Underground Mining occupations, or if they do meet with them, that he himself Methods Handbook emerged as a title and objective. An editorial may be able to heal them or may see that the doctors do advisory board was formed, an outline was developed, and so. Thirdly follows Astronomy, that he may know the divi- section editors were selected. sions of the heavens and from them judge the direction of The book that emerged in 1982 consists of eight sections: the veins. Fourthly, there is the science of Surveying that General Mine Design Considerations, Stopes Requiring Minimum he may be able to estimate how deep a shaft should be Support, Stopes Requiring Some Additional Support Other Than sunk to reach the tunnel which is being driven to it, and to Pillars, Caving Methods, Underground Equipment, Financial determine the limits and boundaries in these workings, Considerations, Foundations for Design, and Mine Ventilation. especially in depth. Fifthly, his knowledge of Arithmetical It has been nearly 20 years since the Handbook (which over Science should be such that he may calculate the cost to the years has become affectionately known as the “Blue Book” be incurred in the machinery and the working of the because of the color of its cover) was published and much has mine. Sixthly, his learning must comprise Architecture, taken place in the interim. Some of us felt that it was time for the that he himself may construct the various machines and next volume in this series of books stretching back to Agricola. A timber work required underground, or that he may be proposal submitted to the SME Book Publishing Committee to do able to explain the method of the construction to others. just that was approved by the SME Board of Directors at its Next, he must have knowledge of Drawing, that he can August 1999 meeting, and the project to produce a companion draw plans of his machinery. Lastly, there is the Law, volume to the Blue Book was underway. especially that dealing with metals, that he may claim his From conception to birth, the Blue Book required nearly own rights, that he may undertake the duty of giving oth- 8 years. In the present case, the book was put on a fast track, ers his opinion on legal matters, that he may not take and publication was scheduled for 2001. This new volume ix includes revised sections on general mine design, mining sections, and/or update as appropriate. The book was intended to methods, and foundations for design. A new section, be a dynamic one that would continue to grow and thrive with “Underground Mining Looks to the Future,” is included so that the mining industry. The original concept for the continuous readers might spend at least a little time contemplating future renewal and rejuvenation of the Blue Book through publication courses rather than focusing strictly on today’s task of getting of new articles in magazines such as Mining Engineering was “rock-in-the-box.’’ good, even though it turned out to be an idea before its time and Beginning with the Phoenician traders more than 3,000 was not implemented. Now, however, via the wonders of years ago, mining today is an international business. This book computers and the Internet, there are far-reaching opportunities has tried to reflect this international character by presenting a to make this new book a living document. We look forward with snapshot of the world of mining through a series of case studies. anticipation to this exciting development. Unfortunately, recent years have been a time of depressed For all who have and will contribute to this volume, we are prices for many commodities and a downsizing of staff. The most grateful. Special appreciation is extended to Jane Olivier at efforts made by mining companies, consulting companies, educa- SME, and to Priscilla Wopat, Spokane Research Laboratory of the tional institutions, and individuals to provide their contributions National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, who to this book are greatly appreciated. worked so diligently and carefully on the editing and publication Some argue that the long-standing role of books in the of this book. Cheryl Bradley and Diane Christopherson of the development of our society is changing to the point where they Department of Mining Engineering at the University of Utah have will go the way of the dinosaur. This may be true, but we believe helped keep track of the many manuscripts and have made that books still offer a very special way of capturing and corrections as needed. The significant support provided by The presenting information in a way unequaled by other forms of Itasca Consulting Group in the initial stages of this project is media. gratefully acknowledged. The decision taken in 1982 to publish the Blue Book in a loose-leaf format was done in recognition that a user might choose to rearrange the contents, add material to the various William A. Hustrulid and Richard L. Bullock X .............. Contents Preface ix SECTION 1 GENERAL MINE DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS 1 CHAPTER 1 Underground Mining Methods and Applications 3 Hans Hamrin CHAPTER 2 General Planning of the Noncoal Underground Mine 15 Richard L. Bullock CHAPTER 3 Planning the Underground Mine on the Basis of Mining Method 29 Richard Bullock and William Hustrulid CHAPTER 4 Cost Estimating for Underground Mines 49 Scott A. Stebbins and Otto L. Schumacher CHAPTER 5 Mineral and Metal Prices: Mechanisms, Instability, and Trends 73 Peter A. Howie and Roderick G. Eggert SECTION 2 ROOMAND-PILLAR MINING OF HARD ROCK 81 CHAPTER 6 Mining Methodology and Description: The Immel Mine 83 William R. Begg and Nikolai A. Pohrivchak CHAPTER 7 The Viburnum Trend Underground-An Overview 89 Jon Carmack, Bob Dunn, Michael Flach, and Greg Sutton CHAPTER 8 Pillar Extraction and Rock Mechanics at the Doe Run Company in Missouri 1991 to 2000 95 W.L . Lane, T.R . Yanske, L.M. Clark, and D.P. Roberts CHAPTER 9 Modifications of the Room-and-Pillar Mining Method for Polish Copper Ore Deposits 103 Waldemar Korzenlowski and Andrzej Stanklewicz CHAPTER 10 Underhand Room-and-Pillar Mining as Applied at the Aurora Mine, Charcas Unit, Grupo Mexico 111 Marc0 A. Perez G. and Abel Gonzdez V CHAPTER 11 Underground Mining of Frozen Placers 119 Michael G. Nelson SECTION 3 ROOM-AND-PILLAR MINING OF SOFT ROCK 129 CHAPTER 12 Mining at IMC Potash Carlsbad 131 P. Livingstone, J. Purcell, D. Morehouse, anad D. Waugh CHAPTER 13 Mississippi Potash, Inc.'s, Underground Operations 137 Victoria Herne and Tom McGuire iii CHAPTER 14 Advanced Mine-Wide Automation in Potash 143 Stephen J. Fortney CHAPTER 15 Closed-Circuit Mechanized Cut-and-Fill Mining at PCS New Brunswick Division 149 D.R. Roberts SECTION 4 LONGWALL MINING OF HARD ROCK 155 CHAPTER 16 Underground Mining at Impala Platinum, Ltd., in the Northwest Province of South Africa 157 G.R. Ackerman and A. W. Jameson CHAPTER 17 Mining Practice for Intermediate-Depth, Narrow Tabular Ore Bodies with Particular Reference to the Free State and Klerksdorp Goldfields 165 P.R. Carter CHAPTER 18 Extraction of a Wide Ore Body at Depth in the SV2/3 Area at Placer Dome Western Areas Joint Venture 179 N. Singh and A.J. McDonald SECTION 5 SHRINKAGE STOPING 187 CHAPTER 19 Shrinkage Stoping at the Mouska Mine 189 Robert Marchand, Patrick Godin, and Chantale Doucet CHAPTER 20 Shrinkage Stoping Practices at the Schwartzwalder Mine 195 Bruce Norquist SECTION 6 SUBLEVEL STOPING 205 CHAPTER 21 Ground-Stability-Based Mine Design Guidelines at the Brunswick Mine 207 Patrick Andriew and Brad Simser CHAPTER 22 Stoping at the Pyhasalmi Mine 215 Pekka Pera, Seppo Tuovinen, Jyrki Korteniemi, Marko Matinlassi, and Sami Nilranen CHAPTER 23 Narrow Ore Mining in Zinkgruvan, Sweden 221 M. Finkel, M. Olsson, H. Thorshag, J. Wernstrom, and G. Johansson CHAPTER 24 Mining Operations at Pea Ridge Iron Ore Company-A Case Study 229 Jason Ovanic CHAPTER 25 Sublevel Stoping at the Williams Mine 235 David Bronkhorst and Greg Brouwer CHAPTER 26 Sublevel Open Stoping-Design and Planning at the Olympic Dam Mine 239 Soma Uggalla CHAPTER 27 Cannington Mine-30 Million Ounces of Silver per Year from a 300-m Cube 245 Paul Harvey, Martyn Bloss, and Nicolas Bouliane CHAPTER 28 Sublevel Stoping at Echo Bay’s Lamefoot Mine, Republic, Wash. 257 Gordon L. Fellows CHAPTER 29 Sublevel Open Stoping at El Soldado Mine: A Geomechanic Challenge 263 Nolberto V. Contador and Marcelo F. Glavic CHAPTER 30 Underground Mining in the Kola Peninsula, Russia 271 Anatoly A. Kozyrev, Yuri V. Demidov, Igor I. Bessonov, Oleg Ye. Churkin, Vladislav M. Busyrev, Wadimir N. Aminov, and VictorA . Maltsev CHAPTER 31 Underground Mining Operations at the McArthur River Uranium Mine 281 Doug Beattie and Chuck Edwards iv SECTION 7 CUT-AND-FILL MINING 287 CHAPTER 32 Raglan, Underground Production in an Arctic Environment 289 F. Pronovost CHAPTER 33 Mining of PGMs at the Stillwater Mine 299 D. Bray, A.C. Alexander, W. Strickland, and D. Einarson CHAPTER 34 Mechanizing Sunshine Mine Operations 309 Michael E. McLean CHAPTER 35 Underhand Cut-and-Fill Mining at the Lucky Friday Mine 313 Clyde Peppin, Tom Fudge, Karl Hartman, Doug Bayer, and Terry DeVoe CHAPTER 36 Pasminco Broken Hill Mine 319 David R. Edwards and Neil S. Rauert CHAPTER 37 Rock Support in Cut-and-Fill Mining at the Kristineberg Mine 325 Norbert Krauland, Per-Ivar Marklund, and Mark Board CHAPTER 38 Underhand Cut-and-Fill Mining at the Murray Mine, Jerritt Canyon Joint Venture 333 Carl E. Brechtel, Greg R. Struble, and Benjamin Guenther CHAPTER 39 The Carlin Underground Mine 339 J. Gordon Sobering CHAPTER 40 Underhand Cut-and-Fill at the Barrick Bullfrog Mine 345 Dan Kump and Tim Arnold CHAPTER 41 Case Study: Strathcona Deep Copper Mine 351 Hugh S. Maclsaac and Graham Swan CHAPTER 42 Evolution of Undercut-and-Fill at SMJ’s Jouac Mine, France 355 Ronan Le Roy SECTION 8 SUBLEVEL CAVING 359 CHAPTER 43 Underground Iron Ore Mining at LKAB, Sweden 361 C. Quinteiro, M. Quinteiro, and 0. Hedstrom CHAPTER 44 Sublevel Caving Update at INCOs Stobie Mine 369 Harvey Buksa CHAPTER 45 Longitudinal Sublevel Caving, Big Bell Mine 371 John Player CHAPTER 46 Theory and Practice of Very-Large-Scale Sublevel Caving 381 C.R. Quinteiro, L. Larsson, and W.A. Hustrulid CHAPTER 47 Sublevel Caving: A Fresh Look at this Bulk Mining Method 385 C.H. Page and G. Bull SECTION 9 PANEL CAVING 395 CHAPTER 48 Henderson Mine 397 William D. Rech CHAPTER 49 Palabora Underground Mine Project 405 Keith Calder, Peter Townsend, and Frank Russell CHAPTER 50 Block Caving Lift 1 of the Northparkes E26 Mine 411 M. House, A. van As, and J. Dudley V CHAPTER 51 Preundercut Caving in El Teniente Mine, Chile 417 Eduardo Rojas, Rigoberto Molina, and Patricio Cavieres CHAPTER 52 Premier Diamond Mine 425 P.J. Bartlett CHAPTER 53 Block Caving the EESS Deposit at P.T. Freeport Indonesia 431 John Barber, Suyono Dirdjosuwondo, Tim Casten, and Leon Thomas CHAPTER 54 Finsch Mine: Open Pit to Open Stoping to Block Caving 439 Christopher Andrew Preece CHAPTER 55 Cave Mining-The State of the Art 455 D.H. Laubscher SECTION 10 FOUNDATIONS FOR DESIGN 465 CHAPTER 56 Rock Mass Properties for Underground Mines 467 Evert Hoek CHAPTER 57 The MRMR Rock Mass Classification for Jointed Rock Masses 475 D.H. Laubscher and J. Jakubec CHAPTER 58 Use of Numerical Modeling for Mine Design and Evaluation 483 Mark Board, Richard Brummer, and Shawn Seldon CHAPTER 59 Pillar Design to Prevent Collapse of Room-and-Pillar Mines 493 R. Karl Zipf, Jr. CHAPTER 60 The Stability Graph Method for Open-Stope Design 513 Yves Potvin and John Hadjigeorgiou CHAPTER 61 Noranda’s Approach to Evaluating a Competent Deposit for Caving 521 Simon Nickson, Adam Coulson, and JefjcHussey CHAPTER 62 Rock Support in Theory and Practice 535 Hikan Stille CHAPTER 63 Rock Bolting for Underground Excavations 547 John Hadjigeorgiou and Francois Charette CHAPTER 64 Cable Bolting 555 Christopher Windsor CHAPTER 65 Shotcrete as an Underground Support Material 563 Sam Spearing CHAPTER 66 Shotcrete Linings in Hard Rock 569 B. Jonas Holmgren CHAPTER 67 The Role of Shotcrete in Hard-Rock Mines 579 P.K. Kaiser and D.D. Tannant CHAPTER 68 Support and Structural Use of Shotcrete in Mines 593 Richard K. Brummer and Graham R. Swan CHAPTER 69 Backfill in Underground Mining 601 Dave Landriault CHAPTER 70 Mining Dilution in Moderate- to Narrow-Width Deposits 615 Charles R. Tatman vi CHAPTER 71 Design of Ore Passes 627 M.J. Beus, W.G. Pariseau, B.M. Stewart, and S.R. Iverson CHAPTER 72 Blast Design for Underground Mining Applications 635 Roger Holmberg, William Hustrulid, and Claude Cunningham SECTION 11 UNDERGROUND MINING LOOKS TO THE FUTURE 663 CHAPTER 73 Small Resource and Mining Companies-Present and Future 665 PC. Jones and H.B. Miller CHAPTER 74 TeleminingTMS ystems Applied to Hard Rock Metal Mining at Inco Limited 671 G.R. Baiden CHAPTER 75 Mine Automation at L W ,K iruna, Sweden 681 Jan-Olov Nilsson, Irving Wigdtn, and HGkan Qni CHAPTER 76 Methods to Mine the Ultra-Deep Tabular Gold-Bearing Reefs of the Witwatersrand Basin, South Africa 691 Fernando M.C.C.V ieira, David H. Diering, and Raymond J. Durrheim CHAPTER 77 Simulation of Underground Mining Operations 705 Daniel T. Brunner vii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SECTION 1 General Mine Design Considerations CHAPTER 1 Underground Mining Methods and Applications 3 Hans Hamrin CHAPTER 2 General Planning of the Noncoal Underground Mine 15 Richard L. Bullock CHAPTER 3 Planning the Underground Mine on the Basis of Mining Method 29 Richard Bullock and William Hustrulid CHAPTER 4 Cost Estimating for Underground Mines 49 Scott A. Stebbins and Otto L. Schumacher CHAPTER 5 Mineral and Metal Prices: Mechanisms, Instability, and Trends 73 Peter A. Howie and Roderick G. Eggert 1