Investigation of caving induced subsidence at the abandoned Grace Mine

Sainsbury, David; Sainsbury, Bre-Anne; Lorig, Loren

doi:10.1179/174328610x12820409992336

Cited by 12 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…This total strain criterion has been used to calibrate the limit of large-scale fracturing at the Kiruna, Grace and El Teniente Mines (Sainsbury and Stockel 2012;Sainsbury et al 2010;Cavieres et al 2003). Figure 18 illustrates the total strain predicted after excavation of the Stage 8 Cutback.…”

Section: Simulation Of Isotropic Rock Mass Conditionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Three-dimensional analysis of complex anisotropic slope instability at MMG’s Century Mine

Sainsbury¹,

Sainsbury

Sweeney³

2016

Mining Technology

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Anisotropic and foliated rock masses present particular difficulties in the assessment of pit slope stability. Although many attempts have been made to describe the strength of rock masses that exhibit a preferred orientation of weakness, no general methodology has emerged throughout the literature to simulate anisotropic behaviour in a three-dimensional numerical model of pit slope stability. In order to simulate the effect of the anisotropic shale rock mass on pit slope stability at MMG Limited's (MMG) Century Mine, the Ubiquitous Joint Rock Mass (UJRM) method has been applied. This paper outlines the methodology that was used to assist mine personnel in the management of complex anisotropic slope instability that jeopardised the recovery of 1.8 million tonnes of zinc ore.

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Section: Simulation Of Isotropic Rock Mass Conditionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Three-dimensional analysis of complex anisotropic slope instability at MMG’s Century Mine

Sainsbury¹,

Sainsbury

Sweeney³

2016

Mining Technology

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“…Back-analysis of the fracturing limits induced by caving at El Teniente mine conducted by Cavieres et al (2003) showed that a total strain criterion of 5e-3 is a good indicator for delineation of the fracture zone limit from numerical modeling results. This criterion has been used extensively and has been validated further through back-analysis of fracture limits at Kiruna (Sainsbury & Stockel 2012), Grace (Sainsbury & Lorig 2005), Century Mines (Sainsbury et al 2016), and Cadia East (Ghazvinian et al 2020a) as well as Andina, Venetia, Lac des Isles, and Pampa Escondida (confidential reports).…”

Section: Fracture Limitmentioning

confidence: 99%

Surface subsidence analysis associated with caving at La Encantada Silver Mine

Garza-Cruz¹,

Ghazvinian²,

Fuenzalida³

et al. 2022

Caving 2022: Fifth International Conference on Block and Sublevel Caving

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This study describes a multi-year effort to calibrate a numerical model to mapped surface subsidence and other damage indicators in a historic silver mine that is now being exploited via caving. In 2017, the subsidence extent along with the general condition and character of the rock mass both underground and in the vicinity of the craters was evaluated during a site visit. Surface cracks were mapped in the vicinity of the existing crater to provide a more accurate representation of the 2017 fracture limit that needed to be captured by the numerical model before any forward prediction was made. A numerical model was developed to back analyse the 2017 conditions following from the historic mining that had taken place, resulting in close agreement with observations made on site. A forward surface subsidence prediction was then obtained based on the target draw schedule to exploit the remaining orebody via caving. In 2020, the actual draw schedule followed until that point was updated in the model to evaluate the validity of the results of the numerical model as well as future predictions. As new extraction points with updated production tonnages were added to the mining plan, the calibrated model was used to provide updated estimates of cave growth, surface subsidence, and building/infrastructure potential damage through the life-of-mine.

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“…One particular example is the caving algorithm, which was developed as part of the International Caving Study (ICS I and II) and Mass Mining Technology (MMT) projects, and used successfully at a number of existing and planned caving projects; see for example Sainsbury et al (2010Sainsbury et al ( , 2011aSainsbury et al ( , 2011b, Álvarez et al (2014) and Cancino et al (2020). The caving algorithm attempts to predict the limits of the five geomechanical zones associated with caving in the conceptual model by Duplancic & Brady (1999): (i) elastic zone, (ii) seismogenic zone, (iii) yielded zone, (iv) air gap, and (v) mobilised zone.…”

Section: Advances In Modelling Of Cavingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Solving rock mechanics issues through modelling: then, now, and in the future?

Sjöberg¹

2020

Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Underground Mining Technology

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There is no dispute about the advances in numerical modelling for rock mechanics applications following its debut in engineering science some 50 years ago. Significant strides have been made since the days of punch cards and line printers, with modelling tools now being easy to use and capable of replicating many, but not all, aspects of rock behaviour. This paper explores some common rock mechanics problems in underground mining, and how these have been addressed through numerical modelling. The described issues include pillar design, ground support, caving prediction and ground subsidence, and mining-induced seismicity. Examples of how modelling technology has evolved over the years are given, while also pointing out current gaps and limitations in the technology. Finally, an outlook for the future is presented, including some of the challenges we are facing. An increased fundamental understanding of many rock mechanics issues is still required, but eventually one may envision a deep integration of rock mechanical modelling into mine planning and production, for a more sustainable future mining.

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Investigation of caving induced subsidence at the abandoned Grace Mine

Cited by 12 publications

References 4 publications

Three-dimensional analysis of complex anisotropic slope instability at MMG’s Century Mine

Three-dimensional analysis of complex anisotropic slope instability at MMG’s Century Mine

Surface subsidence analysis associated with caving at La Encantada Silver Mine

Solving rock mechanics issues through modelling: then, now, and in the future?

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