Diagram of subsidence at an area mined by block caving from anatomy. Block caving is an underground hard rock mining method that involves undermining an ore body, allowing it to progressively collapse under its own weight. It is only relatively recent that this mass mining method, despite 70. Block caving mining method 101 newtrax technologies inc provided the rock breaks successfully and the ore can be extracted evenly at desired draw points block caving is a high productivity method with low operating costs that allows a high degree of mechanization and capability of automation. Block caving is described by laubscher 1994 as the lowest cost underground mining method provided that the extraction layout is designed to suit the caved material and the draw. Analytical model to determine of the optimal block size in. In the right conditions, the advantages of block caving make it an alternative that is now being considered more often, such as at seabridges ksm project.
The block caving mining method, in simplified form. It is a mass mining method that allows for the bulk mining of large, relatively lower. There is insufficient experience caving in these environments, he adds, which is a. Block caving system, panel caving system and mass caving system. Underground mining methods presents the latest principles and techniques in use today. Reference will be made to detail and figures and plates in the block caving manual by showing the. This video describes the block caving process with 3d animation. Sublevel caving can be used in orebodies with very different properties and is an easy method to mechanize. Caving mining method has been widely used in metal mines around the world.
There are three major systems of block caving, and they are differentiated by the type of production equipment used. Sep 02, 2014 a method of block cave mining comprising excavating undercut tunnels 21 at an undercut level. Many of the components of block caving have changed in the last few years, as new techniques and equipment have become available, increasing the efficiency of the method. Introduction the one ug mining method that has the potential to rival surface mining in output and cost is block caving. With the amount of literature available on block caving this report identifies the need to provide a simple understanding of the process. Geotechnical analysis of gravity flow during block caving ramon verdugo professor of geotechnical engineer ing, university of chile, chile.
However, labor is costly, and manual mining tech niques are inefficient. Therefore, the infrastructure is always placed on the footwall side. Cave mining methods will be the underground method of choice in the future. This method involves undermining the orebody to make it collapse under its own weight into a series of chambers from which the ore extracted. A method of caving where a block, 150250 feet 4677 meters on a side and several hundred feet high, is induced to cave in after it is undercut. Block and panel caving block caving is an underground mining method that uses gravity to exploit massive, steeply dipping orebodies located at depth, particularly those with disseminated mineralisation or that are lowgrade in nature, but too deep to be extracted using open pit methods.
Block caving is an extreme case of sublevel caving in which instead of a back of ore 5 to 10 ft. Block cave mining is defined as a mining method which involves undermining an ore body, allowing it to progressively collapse under its own weight. Block cave mining is an underground mass mining method that allows for the bulk extraction of large, relatively lower grade, ore deposits with substantial vertical dimension. These practices were then used to form the basis of the designs on which the initial geotechnical modelling was done and built upon through an iterative process of. The method has application, for ex ample in sulfide deposits.
Block caving article about block caving by the free. Jul 25, 2018 block caving is a new alternative method of developing new mines or extending the operation of open pits. Block caving, cavability, block size, length and width of the block, the optimal block size in block caving method introduction in classification of underground mining methods, caving methods are regarded as high production methods. A switch from open pit mining to block caving mining could. These ore bodies are generally low grade in nature and are too deep to be extracted through open pit mining. This has increased the attractiveness of block caving even further. Among underground mining methods, block caving is typically a large. Pdf longwall longwall in coal longwall in hard rock sublevel caving characteristics of the ore body and mining method development. This thesis focuses specifically on blockpanel caving, in which an ore column of finite width, length and height is drawn from a horizontal array of drawpoints at its base. Cavingisthelowestcost underground mining method provided thatthe drawpoint sizeandhandling facilities are tailored tosuitthecavedmaterial andthatthe extraction horizon canbemaintained forthelife ofthedraw.
Ridgeway deeps mine block caving pdf, block caving and primary crushing, crushing plant. Block caving also depends on insitu stresses and the host. Javier ubilla graduate student, rensselaer polytechnic institute, usa. Recent years have seen a major increase of interest in the block cave mining method which is characterized by extraction of a massive volume of rock usually accompanied by the formation of a significant surface depression above and in the vicinity of the mining operation. For the ridgeway deeps project commenced in early 2005 while the prefeasibility and feasibility studies were, secondary crushing and regrind facilities the.
After the bottom of the block, or panel, is cut up into pillars by drifts and cross drifts, the pillars are robbed, and then the remaining stumps are. There are two reasons why this method is not applicable in block caving. The second half of the name derives from the caving of the hanging wall and. It is a largescale mining method suitable for large ore bodies with a steep dip and a rock mass with a host rock in the hanging wall will fracture under controlled conditions. Nowadays, block caving is the underground mining method with the highest productivity in the world. Inclined caving as a massive mining method ddmunro. Block caving is an underground mining method that uses gravity to exploit massive, steeply dipping ore bodies located at depth. Block caving will most likely cause surface subsidence, and because the pebble deposit is a sulfide deposit, the subsidence would result in generation of dangerous chemicals and their transport into the groundwater system. The result is massive subsidence, accompanied by the exceptionally high production rate and great areal extent characteristic of block caving. One of the most important factors to consider in block caving systems is the size of the blocks length and width. Block caving geomechanics top results of your surfing block caving geomechanics start download portable document format pdf and ebooks electronic books free online rating news 20162017 is books that can provide inspiration, insight, knowledge to the reader. The block caving method is an example of these methods, which is similar to surface mining methods in terms of production, in that the cost of production is low. This method owes the first part of its name to the fact that work is carried out on many intermediate levels that is, sublevels between the main levels. Atlas copco block caving mining method black diamond drilling services australia pty ltd.
It follows the same basic principles as the block caving mining method. Block caving is a gravitybased underground mining method that involves breaking up the rock mass located at depth into pieces. Reference will be made to detail and figures and plates. Caving is the only underground bulk mining method able to offer. That interest is being fueled by the depletion of near surface ore bodies suitable for open pit operations. This method is particularly suitable for lowgrade minerals or with disseminated mineralization. The role of block caving although the caving mining system was initially used for shallow orebodies, it has recently been applied at depths of 2km underground. A literature study of mines which implemented mining methods upon which the inclined cave was conceptualised is then presented. Abstract block caving is a mining operation method where taking advantage of the gravity forces, the ore is fragmented.
Block caving copper mining methods and costs at the miami mine, miami copper company, gila county, arizona 1965 hardwick, w. Determination of optimum drawpoint layout in block caving. An undercut with haulage access is driven under the orebody, with drawbells excavated between the top of the haulage level and the bottom of the undercut. Keeping up with caving redpath mining contractors and engineers. The drawbells serve as a place for caving rock to fall into.
The company pointed out that this package, developed by gemcom, has been in use for 25 years now, during which time it has been used for a wide variety of blockcave scenarios. Thedailyproduction fromcavemining operations throughout theworldisapproximately. As in sublevel caving, the caving proceeds in a columnar fashion to the surface. Reflecting the international and diverse nature of the industry, a series of mining case studies is presented covering the commodity range from iron ore to diamonds extracted by operations located in all corners of the world. Ebook block caving geomechanics as pdf download portable. Prediction of the caved rock zones scope induced by. A method of block cave mining comprising excavating undercut tunnels 21 at an. Mar 15, 2017 block gravity caving is a bulk underground mining method, which allows large lowgrade deposits to be mined underground. Block caving method is employed generally for steeply dipping ores, and thick sub horizontal seams of ore. Block caving is a new alternative method of developing new mines or extending the operation of open pits. Progressive stages a, b, c of block caving, showing caving of ore and waste. Block caving method for a 60 m thick ore s u bm i tt ed byd ee pa k ku m a r pa n da 114mn0047. Caving underground mining methods longwall, sublevel caving. Jul 10, 2018 in the right conditions, the advantages of block caving make it an alternative that is now being considered more often, such as at seabridges ksm project.
Thus sublevel caving is usually used to mine lowgrade, lowvalue orebodies. The australian centre for geomechanics looks forward to hosting the fourth international symposium on block and sublevel caving in vancouver in septemberoctober 2018. Also, more than 85% of iron ores and approximately 40% of nonferrous metal ores in underground mines are mined out using this method in china. It is only relatively recent that this mass mining method, despite 70 years of use, has begun proving its potential. The second section describes underground mining equipment, with particular focus on excavation machinery such as boomheaders, coal cutters, continuous miners and shearers.
This method owes the first part of its name to the fact that work is carried out on intermediate levels that is, sublevels between the main production levels. Block caving is a largescale underground mining method applicable to the extraction of lowgrade, massive ore bodies. In block caving, a large section of rock is undercut, creating an artificial cavern that fills with its own rubble as it collapses. Block caving is the mining method in which masses, panels, or bl. Block caving is used to mine massive steeply dipping orebodies typically low grade with high friability. It is a mass mining method that allows for the bulk mining of large. Block caving is an underground hard rock mining method that involves undermining an ore body, allowing it to progressively collapse under its. Oraeemirzamani3 1islamic azad university south tehran branch tehran, iran 2university of stirling stirling, uk fk7 4la 3imperial college london london, uk sw7 1na corresponding author. This material is intended for use in lectures, presentations and as handouts to students, and is provided in power point format so as to allow customization for.
Block caving method for a 60 m thick ore s u bm i tt ed byd ee pa k ku m a r pa n da 114mn0047 introduction. Ridgeway deeps mine block caving pdf, block caving and primary. In general, three exploiting systems are assumed for this method which are. Block caving is a method that is truly and wholly based on the principles of caving, although recent developments have distanced the method slightly from pure reliance on a natural cave, in order to broaden the application of the method and enhance its production capabilities. Approximately 25% of mines worldwide use this method. Blockcaving method is employed generally for steeply dipping ores, and thick sub horizontal seams of ore. Inclined caving as a massive mining method ddmunro twp. An undercut with haulage access is driven under the orebody, with drawbells excavated over the undercut. This material is intended for use in lectures, presentations and as handouts to students, and is provided in power point format so as to allow customization for the individual needs of course instructors. A characteristic of caving mining method is caving and extraction of the.
According to suorineni, caving heights have also increased drastically from about 200m to 500m, creating socalled super caves. This method is normally used in massive, steeplydipping orebodies with considerable strike length, and usually has a high amount of dilution and low recoveries. In underground mining, block caving is the only method with the costs comparable to surface mining methods, especially open pit mining. This method is unlike sublevel caving, in that both the ore and the rock are normally involved in the caving. Caving underground mining methods longwall, sublevel. In order for the ore to flow freely into the drawpoints, the rock. These techniques are usually very costly and need great preparation.