Draw control strategies in sublevel caving mines - A baseline mapping of LKAB's Malmberget and Kiirunavaara mines

Shekhar, Gurmeet; Gustafson, Anna; Boeg-Jensen, Patricia; Malmgren, Lars; Schunnesson, Håkan

doi:10.17159/2411-9717/2018/v118n7a6

Cited by 6 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…A load cell is placed at the hydraulic cylinders of the LHD bucket. The hydraulic pressure in the cylinders is monitored by the load cell and converted to the weight of the ore in tonnes [5,12].…”

Section: Current Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The grade control can be continuous [3] or periodic [4], based on the frequency of information about the ore grade. It is typically based on either faster and cheaper techniques, including visual estimation and density-based ore grade calculation, or more time-consuming and expensive sampling and assay systems [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In such conditions, the ore grade in an LHD bucket can be calculated from the bucket weight using the density difference. Such a system is used in Luossavaara-Kiirunavaara AB's (LKAB) Kiruna and Malmberget mines [5]. The sampling and assay technique is normally used when the ore and waste cannot be differentiated visually or by density.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Challenges with Density-Based Grade Estimation at LKAB’s Underground Iron Ore Mines

Manzoor

Gustafson

Schunnesson

2022

Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration

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Sublevel caving operation relies on the estimation of ore grade at drawpoints, as the mine management uses grade to decide whether the material at a certain ring should be loaded or abandoned. Grade is estimated in various ways, including visual estimation, density-based calculation, and sampling and assay methods. The grade estimation at the world’s two largest underground iron ore mines owned by LKAB in northern Sweden is based on the density difference between ore and waste. The calculations assume a constant swell factor, a theoretical fill of 100%, and a linear relationship between bucket weight and material grade. This study evaluated these assumptions in detail based on the loading data for 12,237 buckets and concluded that the method has some shortcomings which render the assumptions invalid. Further research is required to deal with these shortcomings to improve estimation of the material grade.

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Section: Current Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Challenges with Density-Based Grade Estimation at LKAB’s Underground Iron Ore Mines

Manzoor

Gustafson

Schunnesson

2022

Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration

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“…Although waste sorting is practical in narrow vein reefs, it poses a challenge in massive mines, except with proper application of draw control strategies. (Shekhar et al, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Once all these parameters are in place, and the hydraulic radius has been reached, then the benefits of this method are realized. Apart from the challenges with waste and high capital cost, block-caving is still profitable as very high production rates can be achieved (Khodayari and Pourrahimian, 2017).Other advantages are realized with minimal blasting once the block has caved with emphasis on constant monitoring by means of draw control (Shekhar et al, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Drawpoint loading optimization strategies in block caving: A case study of Palabora Mining Company

Nyarela¹,

Khumalo²,

Nemathithi³

2023

J. S. Afr. Inst. Min. Metall.

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Palabora Mining Company is one of the largest low-grade copper mines globally. The mine uses block caving for the extraction of the orebody. This paper enumerates the drawpoint loading strategies for the overall head grade improvements, particularly for a block that is nearing depletion. A comprehensive literature review of various considerations relating to improving productivity in block caving is presented to contextualize the draw control in caving. From this study, an optimized draw control strategy is presented, which focuses on three parameters that include grade distribution, loading compliance, and tonnage splits per sector. An empirical method based on the relational study between various parameters is used to outline the key criteria to be used in the optimization of drawpoint loading in block caving.

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Modelling the relationship between oversize fragments and nature of rock mass for a sublevel caving operation

Manzoor

Gustafson

Schunnesson

2023

International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences

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Draw control strategies in sublevel caving mines - A baseline mapping of LKAB's Malmberget and Kiirunavaara mines

Cited by 6 publications

References 4 publications

Challenges with Density-Based Grade Estimation at LKAB’s Underground Iron Ore Mines

Challenges with Density-Based Grade Estimation at LKAB’s Underground Iron Ore Mines

Drawpoint loading optimization strategies in block caving: A case study of Palabora Mining Company

Modelling the relationship between oversize fragments and nature of rock mass for a sublevel caving operation

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