Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary reason block caving requires a substantial initial development period compared to other mining methods?
What is the primary reason block caving requires a substantial initial development period compared to other mining methods?
- The extensive surface infrastructure needed to support the high production rates.
- The necessity of creating undercut and extraction levels, along with draw bells, before ore extraction can commence. (correct)
- The need for detailed geological surveys to identify the optimal locations for ore passes and crushers.
- The time required to implement comprehensive environmental monitoring systems due to the risk of subsidence.
Why is accurate drilling particularly crucial in block caving operations during the formation of the undercut level?
Why is accurate drilling particularly crucial in block caving operations during the formation of the undercut level?
- To avoid misfires during blasting, which can compromise the integrity of the undercut and delay the caving process. (correct)
- To ensure the precise placement of sensors for monitoring rock mass movement and stress distribution.
- To maximize the efficiency of ore fragmentation, reducing the load on crushers and transportation systems.
- To minimize the need for rock reinforcement by creating self-supporting arch structures within the ore body.
What is the most critical factor influencing the selection of transportation methods for ore to the surface in block caving?
What is the most critical factor influencing the selection of transportation methods for ore to the surface in block caving?
- The depth of the ore body and the need to minimize energy consumption during hoisting operations.
- The regulatory constraints on emissions and noise pollution from transportation vehicles.
- The ore's fragmentation characteristics and crushing requirements alongside the overall cost-effectiveness. (correct)
- The proximity of the mine to processing plants and the availability of railway infrastructure.
In block caving, what is the primary purpose of implementing extensive rock reinforcement using methods like steel arches and cable bolts?
In block caving, what is the primary purpose of implementing extensive rock reinforcement using methods like steel arches and cable bolts?
What is the direct consequence of uneven ore extraction at desired draw points in block caving?
What is the direct consequence of uneven ore extraction at desired draw points in block caving?
What is the most significant advantage of employing a second entrance at another level in cut and fill mining operations?
What is the most significant advantage of employing a second entrance at another level in cut and fill mining operations?
In cut and fill mining, what is the primary reason for backfilling the excavated areas after each slice is mined out?
In cut and fill mining, what is the primary reason for backfilling the excavated areas after each slice is mined out?
What distinguishes cut and fill mining from other methods regarding adaptability to varying ore body geometries?
What distinguishes cut and fill mining from other methods regarding adaptability to varying ore body geometries?
What is the most significant implication of escalating rock stresses within the pillar situated above a mined area in cut and fill mining?
What is the most significant implication of escalating rock stresses within the pillar situated above a mined area in cut and fill mining?
What is the primary reason waste materials like tailings sand or waste rock are considered suitable for backfill in cut and fill mining?
What is the primary reason waste materials like tailings sand or waste rock are considered suitable for backfill in cut and fill mining?
What is the most critical factor influencing the decision to leave secondary stopes as pillars during the initial mining phase in sublevel stoping?
What is the most critical factor influencing the decision to leave secondary stopes as pillars during the initial mining phase in sublevel stoping?
In sublevel stoping, what is the primary reason for implementing cable bolts above stopes before excavating secondary stopes?
In sublevel stoping, what is the primary reason for implementing cable bolts above stopes before excavating secondary stopes?
What is the most significant advantage of being able to mine on different levels and stopes concurrently in sublevel stoping?
What is the most significant advantage of being able to mine on different levels and stopes concurrently in sublevel stoping?
What is the most important consideration when deciding to reuse tailings sand from the processing plant for backfill in sublevel stoping operations?
What is the most important consideration when deciding to reuse tailings sand from the processing plant for backfill in sublevel stoping operations?
What is the primary reason sublevel stoping is considered a versatile mining method for large ore bodies?
What is the primary reason sublevel stoping is considered a versatile mining method for large ore bodies?
What is the most critical consideration when determining the size and placement of pillars in room and pillar mining?
What is the most critical consideration when determining the size and placement of pillars in room and pillar mining?
What is the most significant implication of overbreak and blast damage to pillars caused by inaccurate drilling and blasting practices in room and pillar mining?
What is the most significant implication of overbreak and blast damage to pillars caused by inaccurate drilling and blasting practices in room and pillar mining?
Why is the ability to establish multiple production points within the mine particularly advantageous in room and pillar mining operations?
Why is the ability to establish multiple production points within the mine particularly advantageous in room and pillar mining operations?
How does the adaptability of the room and pillar mining method to changing commodity prices and market conditions primarily manifest itself?
How does the adaptability of the room and pillar mining method to changing commodity prices and market conditions primarily manifest itself?
What is the most significant reason for implementing rock reinforcement techniques, such as cable bolting, in room and pillar mining operations?
What is the most significant reason for implementing rock reinforcement techniques, such as cable bolting, in room and pillar mining operations?
Flashcards
Block caving
Block caving
A large-scale mining method that allows for efficient extraction of huge volumes of rock by undercutting.
Undercut level
Undercut level
The level developed and blasted to create a gap and initiate the caving process.
Extraction level
Extraction level
The level where ore is extracted from draw points throughout the production life.
Draw bells
Draw bells
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Rock reinforcement
Rock reinforcement
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Cut and fill mining
Cut and fill mining
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Production level achievement
Production level achievement
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Backfill material reuse
Backfill material reuse
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Mining Tailoring
Mining Tailoring
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Parallel excavation
Parallel excavation
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Sublevel stoping
Sublevel stoping
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Primary stope mining
Primary stope mining
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Secondary stopes
Secondary stopes
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Backfilling in stopes
Backfilling in stopes
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Cable bolting
Cable bolting
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Room and Pillar Mining
Room and Pillar Mining
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Room Creation
Room Creation
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Room and Pillar Optimization
Room and Pillar Optimization
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Rock Reinforcement in R&P
Rock Reinforcement in R&P
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Room & Pillar Benefits and Drawbacks
Room & Pillar Benefits and Drawbacks
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Study Notes
- Block caving is a large-scale mining method.
- Block caving allows for the efficient extraction of huge volumes of rock.
- Block caving has a longer development time before production begins compared to other mining methods.
- Rock is drawn from the extraction level in the lower part of the block caving mine.
- This creates a gap and an absence of support for the overlying rock mass.
- Rock stress and gravity cause the rock mass to cave in block caving.
- Block caving minimizes the drilling and blasting of ore.
- The ore body needs to be large enough for block caving.
- Rock conditions must be favorable for natural breakage in block caving.
- To draw the first pieces of rock to create a gap in block caving, the rock mass in the lower part of the ore body needs to be broken down into smaller pieces.
- An undercut level is developed and blasted to achieve this in block caving.
- An extraction level is developed below the undercut level in block caving.
- Ore will be extracted from this level throughout the life of the production area in block caving.
- Draw bells are created between the undercut and extraction levels in block caving.
- Draw bells become passages for caved rock in block caving.
- Accurate drilling is crucial to avoid misfires in block caving.
- Substantial rock reinforcement is usually required in block caving.
- Reinforcement methods include steel arches, sprayed concrete, cable bolts, rock bolts, steel mesh, and straps in block caving.
- These are needed due to extreme rock stress changes and a long production period in block caving.
- Rock is loaded from the draw points in block caving.
- It can be dumped into ore passes connected to a haulage level or directly into a crusher in block caving.
- A variety of transportation methods can be employed to transport ore to the surface in block caving.
- Ore fragmentation and crushing requirements are key factors influencing the choice of method in block caving.
- The extraction of ore will eventually cause the surrounding rock to cave in block caving.
- This results in subsidence on the surface in block caving.
- Block caving is a high-productivity method if the rock breaks successfully.
- Block caving will be effective if the ore is extracted evenly at desired draw points.
- Block caving has a low operating cost.
- Block caving allows a high degree of mechanization and capability of automation.
- Cut and fill mining is favored for steeply dipping and irregular ore bodies.
- Mines that require selective mining and adaptability to rock mass variations prefer cut and fill mining.
- Cut and fill is generally considered a small-scale mining method.
- Mining occurs in horizontal slices along the ore body in cut and fill mining, starting with the bottom slice.
- The excavated area is backfilled, and production continues upwards in cut and fill mining.
- Each production level is achieved by drifting until the entire slice is mined in cut and fill mining.
- The slice is backfilled, and the fill serves as the working platform for the next level in cut and fill mining.
- Back slashing provides access to the upper slices within the stope in cut and fill mining.
- Upon stope completion, a new access drift from the ramp is created for continued production in the upper stope in cut and fill mining.
- Waste materials like tailings sand or waste rock can be reused for backfill in cut and fill mining.
- Drill blast holes for mining ore in slices in cut and fill mining.
- Charge and blast the ore in cut and fill mining.
- Ventilate toxic blast fumes in cut and fill mining.
- Muck out the ore and dump it into an ore pass or onto a truck in cut and fill mining.
- Reinforce the rock, with methods decided individually by the mine, in cut and fill mining.
- Mining continues until the entire slice of ore has been mined in cut and fill mining.
- Mining can be tailored to suit the shape of the ore body, allowing for minimizing dilution in cut and fill mining.
- A second entrance can be opened at another level in the ore body for parallel excavation to increase production in cut and fill mining.
- Equipment used is typically the same as that used for development in cut and fill mining.
- Rock stresses increase in the pillar above the mined area as the ore body is mined in cut and fill mining.
- Cut and fill mining has low productivity.
- Cut and fill mining offers high selectivity, good ore recovery, and low dilution.
- Sublevel stoping is a commonly used and versatile method in large-scale mining.
- Sublevel stoping is a productive method primarily used for large ore bodies with a steep dip, regular shape, and defined ore boundaries.
- Different variations of the method exist depending on the shape of the ore body in sublevel stoping.
- The method is based on blasting out large stopes, which are usually backfilled to maximize recovery of the ore body in sublevel stoping.
- Drifts are created through the ore body to enable mining of stopes between sublevels in sublevel stoping.
- The ore body is divided into primary and secondary stopes in sublevel stoping.
- Primary stopes are mined first in sublevel stoping.
- Secondary stopes are left as pillars until the adjacent primary stopes have been mined and backfilled in sublevel stoping.
- Stabilized fill in the primary stopes prevents sidewalls from caving in when secondary stopes are mined.
- Opening raises are required to accommodate the initial blast and startup of the stoping process in sublevel stoping.
- If rock conditions allow, the entire stope is commonly drilled before charging and blasting in sublevel stoping.
- After the first section has been blasted and mucked out, enough room is made to blast larger sections of the stope in sublevel stoping.
- One advantage of backfilling is the possibility to reuse waste for backfill material, such as tailings sand from the processing plant.
- The excavation sequence continues according to plan.
- Before excavating the secondary stopes, cable bolts are often installed above the stope to support the rock mass.
- Cable bolts help prevent larger blocks from falling into the excavated stope.
- Productivity is maintained at a high rate since it is possible to mine the ore on different levels and stopes simultaneously in in sublevel stoping.
- Sublevel stoping is a productive large-scale mining method that enables a multitude of production points in operation at the same time.
- Sublevel stoping offers good productivity and low dilution.
- Room and pillar mining is a common method for ore bodies with a dip less than 50 degrees.
- Variations of room and pillar mining exist based on rock conditions, dip, and ore body thickness.
- Room and pillar mining involves creating a grid of open rooms with pillars to support the overhead rock.
- The mining sequence in room and pillar mining can be optimized for rock conditions and ventilation.
- Ore extraction in room and pillar mining uses drill and blast techniques, similar to conventional drifting.
- The "drift" becomes the room between the pillars in room and pillar mining.
- The number of operations in room and pillar mining varies depending on ground conditions and design.
- Success in room and pillar mining relies on finding the optimal sizes for rooms and pillars.
- The goal of room and pillar mining is to maximize ore recovery while minimizing pillar size without compromising safety.
- Room sizes and pillar dimensions in room and pillar mining are based on rock conditions and predicted rock stress changes.
- Rock reinforcement, like cable bolts, may be needed for larger roof spans, in addition to rock bolts.
- Accurate drilling and good blasting minimize overbreak and blast damage to pillars.
- Maintaining pillar strength and preventing failure is important in room and pillar mining.
- Roadways for transport and infrastructure are created inside the production area.
- Multiple production points allow efficient equipment use.
- Various transportation methods can be used for transporting ore to the surface in room and pillar mining.
- A well-planned mine can adapt to changing commodity prices and market conditions.
- The room and pillar method is productive and flexible.
- This method results in some ore loss.
- It is suitable for both small and large-scale operations.
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