Geophysical research and geotechnical database construction for selecting design parameters of mining systems

Abstract

A passport to success in mineral mining is the detailed geomechanical information on enclosing rock mass and structure of a mineral deposit. These data are used as a framework for the rock mass stability estimation. These data are taken into account in critical decision-making on mine design, which finally determines the mine safety and performance. The authors review the current methods of acquisition of geotechnical data at the stage of geological exploration. The structural model is constructed for Shiraldzhin gold deposit in Kyrgyzstan. The structural modeling used the data of geophysical measurements in 6 boreholes. It is shown that construction of a geotechnical database helps design future parameters of a mining system. Geophysical borehole investigations have an advantage over the conventional coring techniques in terms of cost and accuracy. The geophysical borehole measurements using a borehole image scanner requires maintenance of borehole parameters: diameter not less than HQ; angle not less 55°; mouth casing down to bedding rocks. Finally, the major requirement is scanning to be accomplished immediately after drilling (within one day depending on rock stability).