State-of-the-art review of backfill practices for sublevel stoping system

Abstract

Backfilling is one of the most critical tasks for sublevel stoping mining methods with delayed backfill. Selection of the type of backfill is a significant component of backfill design at preliminary stage of mine development. This paper presents a state-of-the-art review of backfill practices with focus on backfill operations in North America. Major difficulties and solutions in backfill practice have been laid down in this review. Preliminary recommendations are made for the case study mine based on the knowledge gained from the literature review and in situ observations.