Study on the Effect of Ore-Drawing Shear Factor on Underground Debris Flow in the Block Caving Method

Abstract

The shear factor of ore drawing is an important factor affecting the formation of underground debris flows. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the mining shear factor on underground debris flows in natural caving. The research background was the underground debris flow in the Plan copper mine, and we analyzed the characteristics of the slurry material structure of the underground debris flow, as well as the influence of the ore-drawing shear factor on the formation mechanism of the underground debris flow. The results showed that the slurry of the underground debris flow in the Plan mine is both a pseudoplastic and thixotropic fluid. Shearing force induced in drawing deforms the slurry and decreases its viscosity with the increase in shear rate and time. The shear force produced by the flow of ore particles first produces shear action on the paste in the shear boundary region of the ore drawing, reducing the paste viscosity while increasing its fluidity. Consequently, the “activation” makes the paste flowable, which flows along with the bulk ore flowing through the drawing mouth. The continuous ore-drawing process continuously shears the new moraine slurry in the ore-drawing channel and continuously “activates” the moraine slurry in the ore-drawing channel. Finally, destructive underground debris flow accident of a certain scale occurs. To our knowledge, this study thoroughly investigated the effect of the ore-drawing shear factor on the formation mechanism of underground debris flows, which not only broadens the research field of debris flow but also covers the deficiency of systematic research on underground debris flows, providing theoretical guidance for the prevention and control of underground debris flows.