A review of rockbursts associated with block caving

Abstract

Block caving is one of the most cost-competitive underground mining methods available today owing to its low cost and mining efficiency in the application of low-grade and high-volume mineral extraction such as copper and gold. Given that resources are increasingly being discovered at greater depths throughout the world, the combination of stress concentration resulting from the depth of cover, complicated geotechnical conditions such as geological structures, and disturbance caused by mining activities makes rockburst a challenging geotechnical problem. When a rockburst occurs, the release of a sudden amount of radiated seismic energy may cause rock fragments to eject from the excavation vicinity and may have a significant impact on the safety and productivity of mining. The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the state-of-the-art in the area of rockbursts associated with block caving covering various contributing factors and rockburst mechanisms based on existing cases. With an increasing understanding of contributing factors, failure modes and mechanisms behind rockbursts associated with block caving, prediction and prevention of mining-induced rockburst can be improved in the future.