Substantiation of mining-technical and environmental safety of underground mining of complex-structure ore deposits

Abstract

Purpose. Substantiation of mining-technical and environmental safety of underground mining of complex-structure ore deposits based on the study of a rock mass stress-strain state (SSS), as well as determining the safe parameters of stopes for specific mining-geological conditions and patterns of rock pressure propagation in various environments. Methods. To assess the improvement of mining-technical and environmental safety of mining operations, the research includes theoretical generalizations with the use of mathematical statistics, physical and mathematical modeling, performing calculations, as well as technical and economic feasibility, laboratory and full-scale experimental studies, industrial tests in mine conditions and on the earth's surface in the zone of blasting influence, based on the standard and new methods. Findings. A functional interrelation between the rock mass SSS value and the number of impulses (destruction sounds) per minute, characterizing its structural (а) and strength (b) properties, is proposed, which is described by a curvilinear dependence of the type y = axb and allows to quickly determine the stable parameters of stopes. Assessment and prediction are made for various forms of rock pressure manifestation, based on the stress concentration coefficient within 0.91 Kv 0.70, taking into account the conditions of the elastic behavior of rocks. The value of = 0.0002-0.0003 is taken as permissible relative deformation, which ensures both mining-technical and environmental safety, as well as the rock mass stability during repeated blasting operations. Originality. A classification of the rock mass SSS has been developed depending on the direction of the maximum stresses relative to the mine working location, the level of the rock mass stress state and the mechanism of rock pressure manifestation (η), as well as the category of rock-bump hazard. In particular, the rock mass with the values in the range oof 0.12 < η ≤0.2; 0.2 < η ≤ 0.3; 0.3 < η ≤ 0.5 and η > 0.5 are classified as non-rock-bump hazardous and belong to III, II, and I hazard categories, respectively. Practical implications. To substantiate the safe parameters of stopes based on the results of multi-year research into underground mining of complex-structure deposits, depending on the rock mass properties, a graphical-analytic method (nomographic charts and calculation formulas) is recommended. These parameters are determined for highly fractured, medium fractured and weakly fractured rock mass with its horizontal outcropping to the surface. Using this method, the Instruction on the Geomechanical Substantiation of the Safe Mining of the Reserves at the Skhidnyi Hirnycho-Zbahachuvalnyi Kombinat, DP (SE VostGOK), Ukraine, has been developed.