Assessing physical and mechanical properties of enclosing rock in the course of Malmyzhskoe gold-copper-porphyry deposit development

Abstract

Introduction. This work presents the results of complex technological and mineralogical studies. It has been discovered that some natural rocks are characterized by physical and mechanical properties variability 58 "Izvestiya vysshikh uchebnykh zavedenii. Gornyi zhurnal". No. 3. 2021 ISSN 0536-1028 even within a local area. It must be taken into account when assessing enclosing rocks utilization options. The results of Malmyzhskoye rock physical and mechanical properties study at the stage of geological exploration are considered. Research aim is to carry out integrated technological and mineralogical research and laboratory tests on rock physical and mechanical properties to assess the feasibility of using hard enclosing rock for construction. Research methodology. The geological and structural features of the field were established by comparative analysis of geological sections and maps, structural documentation of the core. In laboratory conditions, the physical and mechanical properties of the host rocks that make up the gold-copper-porphyry deposit were established. Results. After studying the mineral (chemical) composition and physical and mechanical properties of rocks, it was possible to obtain the dependence of the strength index on the structure, as well as on the content of dark-colored minerals and plagioclases. At the same time, there are no significant correlations between strength and density within the same rock type. Conclusions. The analysis shows that rocks with the same mineral composition and equal values of the true density, but with different texture and structure, show differences in strength properties. Keywords: Malmyzhskoe deposit; breakability; physical and mechanical properties; rocks; petrographic analysis; density; strength.