Underground Mining Methods - Engineering Fundamentals and International Case Studies

702 Pages·2001·94.21 MB·English

by  William A.

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
[phone] / [phone]
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
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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