Abstract
In most cases, copper ore deposits occur at great depths, so the optimization of excavation costs is of utmost importance to identify the most cost effective and productive mining methods, such as block caving or similar methods specifically developed for these deposits. To be able to apply such methods, it is necessary to have a detailed knowledge of the rock mass in terms of its geomechanical, engineering geological and hydrogeological characteristics. This research aims to reduce geological and geotechnical unknowns, analyze in detail the geological environment, and predict geotechnical conditions for the construction of the shaft. This paper uses the example of Borska Reka Copper Deposit, located in Serbia to illustrate the importance of geotechnical investigation to enable best practice in design and construction of shafts that are over 1000 m deep.
Highlights
IntroductionThe research area covers the central part of the Timok Magmatic Complex, located in the Eastern part of Serbia, and belongs to the Bor District (Figure 1)
Copper ore deposits occur at great depths, so the optimization of excavation costs is of utmost importance to identify the most cost effective and productive mining methods, such as block caving or similar methods developed for these deposits
This paper uses the example of Borska Reka Copper Deposit, located in Serbia to illustrate the importance of geotechnical investigation to enable best practice in design and construction of shafts that are over 1000 m deep
Summary
The research area covers the central part of the Timok Magmatic Complex, located in the Eastern part of Serbia, and belongs to the Bor District (Figure 1). For a better knowledge of the geological composition and geotechnical characteristics, as a first step, it was necessary to make a Program of detailed geotechnical research of four vertical shafts [1]. The basic questions relate to obtaining the data necessary to determine the geological and geotechnical engineering conditions for shaft design and construction. It was required to determine the physical and mechanical properties of the represented rock masses including the xchanges that occur with depth. To select properly the primary support system it was necessary to determine the primary stress state of the rock mass [3]
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