Enhancement of the rock mass quality in underground iron ore mining through application of resource-saving technologies

Abstract

Annotation In terms of mining and geological structure, ore deposits are complex-structured and composed of single, parallel-contiguous ore bodies. The reserves of barren or ore inclusions with the useful component content less than the cut-off grade of the deposit on the whole make 5-12% for natural-rich ores, and 10-15% for natural-lean ores. Application of conventional systems to mining complex-structured ore deposit areas underground reduces the iron content in the mined ore mass by 3-6% in relation to the main content of the useful component in the ore deposit or increases ore losses 1.5-2.0 times of the standard ones. This leads to a decrease in efficiency of mining the reserves, and as a result, a loss of the world sales market. Application of the resource-saving technologies reduces ore losses and dilution in underground mining, thereby reducing the cost of ore mass processing. As compared with conventional systems, the proposed options of mining systems with ore caving enable increasing the average iron content in the mined ore mass by 2.37-7.03% without increased ore production costs. These indicators are confirmed by laboratory tests on models with natural materials, considering the scale of modeling.

Modelling mineral reserve assessment using discrete kriging methods

“…Systematic and timely mineral resource accounting is extremely important in Ukraine [6]- [8]. According to the Subsoil Legislation, despite type of ownership, all the organizations, engaged in geological studies, should provide reliable geological structure of bowels and determination of both quantity and quality of the main and associated minerals as well as their useful components [9]. Accurate assessment of the quality and spatial conditions of the resource occurrence favours rational subsoil use and protection [10]- [13].…”

Raises advance using emulsion explosives

“…Drivage preparatory and subordinate mining works within stope blocks or drawns stope for the extraction of ores using the underground mining method is one of the main and most labor-intensive production processes necessary to prepare for actual mining [1]. Technological development of various underground mining methods of ore deposits has led to the emergence of mine workings, which are characterized by a small cross-section and constitute the structural design of the mining methods [2]. In these mining methods, to first workings for actual mining, raises of different sizes and shapes are used, performing various functions, as well as inclined or vertical draw holes.…”