Raise Caving—A Hybrid Mining Method Addressing Current Deep Cave Mining Challenges

Ladinig, Tobias; Wagner, Horst; Karlsson, Maria; Wimmer, Matthias; Grynienko, Michal

doi:10.1007/s00501-022-01217-3

Cited by 9 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…In the following sections a brief outline of both variants is provided. A detailed description of both variants can be found in Ladinig et al (2021Ladinig et al ( , 2022.…”

Section: Raise Caving Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Araneda & Sougarret 2008;Dahnér et al 2012). The root of these rock pressure problems is often the development of significant abutment stresses combined with the necessity to place pre-developed infrastructure into abutment zones and to conduct extraction activities in the abutment zones (Ladinig et al 2022). Rock pressure problems on the one hand impose a safety hazard and they result in operational issues such as a lower production rate or increased extraction costs due to required repair work.…”

Section: Specific Challenges Faced In Cave Miningmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Raise caving: a novel mining method for (deep) mass mining

Ladinig¹,

Wimmer²,

Wagner³

2022

Caving 2022: Fifth International Conference on Block and Sublevel Caving

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Raise caving is a novel mining method, which is based on the raise mining method. Raises are central and utilised for different purposes. Here only those directly related to the extraction of the orebody will be discussed. The main objective of raises is to utilise them for creating de-stressing slots, large drawbells and large stopes in an efficient manner. Remote-controlled or automated machinery is operated in raises. Further objectives of raises comprise monitoring and preconditioning. Depending on the field of application two different variants of raise caving can be distinguished, namely a de-stressing variant and a block caving variant.In the de-stressing variant, narrow slots are created first with the objective of providing stress shadows for mining activities in the subsequent production phase. Creating the slots in the de-stressing phase is high stress mining. Hence, massive pillars are left between slots to control the stress situation for de-stress raise development and mining-induced seismicity. After the de-stressing phase is completed, large-scale mineral extraction commences in de-stressed zones. In the production phase large drawbells are developed from raises and large stopes are extracted. During stope blasting only the swell of each blast is mucked so that blasted rock mass provides temporary support to the stope walls. After blasting is completed, the stope is drawn empty and the hanging wall is allowed to cave and caved hanging wall rock mass fills up the stope successively. The massive pillars are extracted in the course of large-scale stoping in the production phase too.In the block caving, variant raises are utilised for drawbell development, undercutting, preconditioning and monitoring purposes. Large drawbells are developed from raises. As drawbells are developed in upward direction, the roof area of the drawbells is enlarged constantly until continuous caving is initiated. Due to the integration of several key activities the block caving variant of raise caving is also referred to as integrated raise caving. This paper highlights the background and motivation for raise caving and it describes both raise caving variants. Steps for the implementation of the methods are outlined and advantages of the individual methods are outlined briefly. Key issues for the implementation of raise caving are highlighted and discussed, and an outlook on currently ongoing research and development activities, which include in situ tests of the method and machinery, is provided. Dedicated accompanying papers provide more information on the ongoing research and development.

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“…In the following sections a brief outline of both variants is provided. A detailed description of both variants can be found in Ladinig et al (2021Ladinig et al ( , 2022.…”

Section: Raise Caving Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Specific Challenges Faced In Cave Miningmentioning

confidence: 99%

Raise caving: a novel mining method for (deep) mass mining

Ladinig¹,

Wimmer²,

Wagner³

2022

Caving 2022: Fifth International Conference on Block and Sublevel Caving

Self Cite

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“…The massive pillars in the slot-pillar system are identified as being decisive for a successful application of the de-stressing variant of raise caving; compare Ladinig et al (2021Ladinig et al ( , 2022aLadinig et al ( , 2022b). In the de-stressing phase, these pillars must be able to transfer considerable stresses to enable the safe extraction of de-stressing slots.…”

Section: Importance Of Pillars In the Slot-pillar Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Figures 2 and Figure 3 show the layout and sequence, as it is currently planned in Kiruna mine. The layout and sequence replicate the individual steps of the raise caving method; compare Ladinig et al (2021Ladinig et al ( , 2022aLadinig et al ( , 2022b.…”

Section: Test Site Layout and Sequencementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Depending on the prevailing mining environment, two different variants can be distinguished: a de-stressing variant and a block caving variant. A detailed description of the raise caving method, its variants, its advantages, key issues and conducted research and development is given by Ladinig et al (2021Ladinig et al ( , 2022a. Furthermore, a paper submitted for the conference provides additional background information on the raise caving method (Ladinig et al 2022b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Test mining with raise caving mining method: one-time chance to prove the concept?

Karlsson¹,

Ladinig²,

Grynienko³

2022

Caving 2022: Fifth International Conference on Block and Sublevel Caving

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Raise caving is a novel mining method, which is based on the raise mining method. Raises play a central role in the method and are utilised for different purposes. In the de-stressing variant, raise caving, the de-stressing slots are created first in a so-called de-stressing phase. The de-stressing slots have a tabular shape, and their objective is to provide stress shadows for mining activities in the subsequent production phase.To prove the concept and provide input parameters for a feasibility level evaluation, a limited scale trial is required.Located at the depth of LKAB's Kiruna mine in Sweden (a +25 Mtpa underground, sublevel caving (SLC) iron ore mine), the raise caving test site will be constructed in deeper parts of the mine, in an area partially prepared for SLC but mining not yet initiated. Geotechnical investigations and numerical modelling preceding development work are underway with first de-stressing raise scheduled for early 2023. Mining activities and consequent preliminary method evaluations are due during 2023-2024 with the final, a feasibility level, study to be completed by the end of 2025.The site selection process focused on locating a site that is, in key aspects, comparable with the future mining environment in the deeper parts of the mine. These are rock stress (direction and magnitude), geology and geotechnical properties. Additional aspects assessed were absence of major weakness zones, minimised negative impact for mine's performance and life-of-mine (LOMP), and relatively rapid execution of the test site construction. Both Malmberget and Kiruna mines were considered as potential sites.During the extraction of the pillar at the test site, the behaviour and condition of the pillar is continuously monitored. Other aspects to be evaluated are the feasibility to work in high stress environments during de-stressing slot development (tunnelling, raiseboring, longhole drilling), during mucking waste rock dilution entry, ore flow and ore recovery rate from a single-level mucking location.When proven successful, the raise caving can contribute to a safe and cost-effective alternative mining method in high stress environments. This paper describes steps taken in selection of a test site and integration with mine production activities.

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The Role of Pillars in Raise Caving

Gams

Ladinig

2022

Berg Huettenmaenn Monatsh

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Mining advances to greater depth, where the control of rock pressure is central for a successful operation. To handle the increasing rock pressure at LKAB’s Kiruna iron ore mine, LKAB and Montanuniversität Leoben develop a novel mining method called “raise caving”. Raise caving is based on an active stress management approach. De-stressing slots, which are separated by substantial pillars, are developed first and provide stress shadows for stope development and subsequent large-scale mineral extraction. At an advanced stage of extraction, these pillars are extracted, too. The pillars are decisive for the success of the raise caving method. They are responsible for the control of stresses, the stability of the hanging wall, and the control of seismic energy release. Hence, studies on pillars have a high importance. This contribution investigates the effect of pillar behavior on the overall extraction system by means of numerical simulations. Two different types for pillar behavior are examined, namely infinitely strong pillars and pillars which yield or crush in the process of extraction. In the second case, pillar stress strain curves are created and replicated numerically. The investigated behavior of pillars is based on available studies on the pillar stress strain behavior. Results show the importance of intact (not overloaded) pillars in the initial de-stressing phase in raise caving. These pillars are essential for controlling the stress levels at the position of the raise bore holes for the initial slot development. Pillar overloading results not only in an increase of the spatial extent of the stress shadow but also in a growth of stresses in the abutment areas and neighboring not yet overloaded pillars. It has been found that this instance can endanger the mining activities in the de-stressing phase. Furthermore, it has been found that the layout of the slot-pillar system together with the extraction sequence is decisive for ensuring that pillars are not overloaded in the de-stressing phase.

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Raise Caving—A Hybrid Mining Method Addressing Current Deep Cave Mining Challenges

Cited by 9 publications

References 17 publications

Raise caving: a novel mining method for (deep) mass mining

Raise caving: a novel mining method for (deep) mass mining

Test mining with raise caving mining method: one-time chance to prove the concept?

The Role of Pillars in Raise Caving

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