Underground Mining Method Research Articles

Implementing a Production Schedule at LKAB?s Kiruna Mine

LKAB's Kiruna Mine, located in northern Sweden, produces about 24 million tons of iron ore yearly using an underground mining method known as sublevel caving. To efficiently run the mills that proc...

Estimates of rock joint shear strength in part of the Fimiston open pit operation in Western Australia

The city of Kalgoorlie-Boulder is situated approximately 600 km to the east of Perth in Western Australia. The Fimiston open pit (or ‘super pit’) is located on the eastern boundary of the city and is mining an area traditionally known as the Golden Mile. The area has been continuously worked since 1893, predominantly by underground mining methods and more recently through open cut development. Various small-scale open pits were developed in the early to mid-1980s and the amalgamation of these pits was realised in May 1989 with the formation of Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines Pty Ltd. (KCGM), a joint venture between Normandy Mining Ltd. (now Newmont Mining Corporation) and Homestake Gold of Australia Ltd.

ハイウォールマイニングシステムの適用とその問題点について

There are many sites where opencut mining operations have developed long highwalls that have been abandoned due to the economic limits of surface mining technology. Highwall mining is a technique utilized after the opencut portion of a coal seam has been mined, sometimes prior to the introduction of full-scale underground mining. In the highwall mining, the coal seam is mined by remotely operated equipment such as an auger or a continuous miner. However, a large amount of coal tends to remain isolated and undeveloped as pillars due to mining operations performed by the auger or the continuous miner. Major issues are less coal recovery and highwall instability due to pillar and roof failures of the extraction holes.Where the conventional opencut mining is difficult or impossible in a small-scale mine due to uneconomical stripping ratio, the highwall mining systems could be applied to this site. After making a small pit, the mining operation starts from the outcrop with less environmental disturbance.This paper describes highwall mining systems and their problems and also proposes new mining systems to increase the coal recovery from final highwalls with using conventional underground mining methods and equipment.

APPLICATION OF FUZZY MULTIPLE ATTRIBUTE DECISION MAKING IN MINING OPERATIONS

Mineral Resources EngineeringVol. 11, No. 01, pp. 59-72 (2002) Technical PapersNo AccessAPPLICATION OF FUZZY MULTIPLE ATTRIBUTE DECISION MAKING IN MINING OPERATIONSAYHAN KESIMAL and ATAC BASCETINAYHAN KESIMALKaradeniz Technical University, Mining Engineering Department, 61080, Trabzon, Turkey Search for more papers by this author and ATAC BASCETINIstanbul University, Mining Engineering Department Avcilar, 34850, Istanbul, Turkey Search for more papers by this author https://doi.org/10.1142/S0950609802000835Cited by:15 PreviousNext AboutSectionsPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsRecommend to Library ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail AbstractThis paper presents a fuzzy multiple attribute decision making as an innovative tool for criteria aggregation in mining decision problems. So far, various types of formulations or solution methods have been proposed with mining systems, but most of them exclusively considered linear functions as objective functions. Real world study is decision making under subjective constraints of different importance, after using uncertain data (linguistic variables), where compromises between competing criteria are allowed. It seems however that this technique is still very little known in mining. It is one of the aims of this case study to disseminate this technology in many mining fields.The paper is divided into four sections. The first section provides an overview of the underlying concepts and theories of multiple attribute decision making in a fuzzy environment and the scope of this type of search. The second section introduces few applications of fuzzy set theory to mining industry problems reported in the literature. Some of these applications are briefly reviewed. The third section presents two case studies which illustrate the application of the system for equipment selection in surface mining and method selection in underground mining in a fuzzy environment, and highlight the flexible nature of the approach. Details of alternative systems and their criterion of each operation are given. And finally the fourth section presents the concluding remarks. FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited By 15An integrated multiple attribute decision making methodology for quality evaluation of innovation and entrepreneurship education with interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy informationYongguang Han, Rong Yan and Chang Gou31 Oct 2022 | Journal of Intelligent & Fuzzy Systems, Vol. 11Review on the Development of Mining Method Selection to Identify New Techniques Using a Cascade-Forward Backpropagation Neural NetworkMohamed E. I. Abdelrasoul, Guangjin Wang, Jong-Gwan Kim, Gaofeng Ren and Mohamed Abd-El-Hakeem Mohamed et al.12 Jun 2022 | Advances in Civil Engineering, Vol. 2022A mobile application based on multi-criteria decision-making methods for underground mining method selectionMelih Iphar and Serafettin Alpay7 May 2018 | International Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment, Vol. 33, No. 7Determinants for selection of projects for exploitation of mines in IranChangiz Valmohammadi and Masoud Mirahmadi Khaki1 Oct 2019 | Resources Policy, Vol. 63Equipment selection based on two different fuzzy multi criteria decision making methods: Fuzzy TOPSIS and fuzzy VIKORSerafettin Alpay and Melih Iphar26 Nov 2018 | Open Geosciences, Vol. 10, No. 1Equipment Selection by using Fuzzy TOPSIS MethodMahmut Yavuz18 October 2016 | IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, Vol. 44The application of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and Yager’s method in underground mining method selection problemMahmut Yavuz12 March 2014 | International Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment, Vol. 29, No. 6A new approach to mining method selection based on modifying the Nicholas techniqueAmir Azadeh, M. Osanloo and M. Ataei1 Sep 2010 | Applied Soft Computing, Vol. 10, No. 4Selective mining of multiple-layer lignite deposits. A fuzzy approachMichael Galetakis and Anthoula Vasiliou1 Jun 2010 | Expert Systems with Applications, Vol. 37, No. 6Underground mining method selection by decision making toolsSerafettin Alpay and Mahmut Yavuz1 Mar 2009 | Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, Vol. 24, No. 2Underground mining technique selection by multicriterion optimization methodsM. Yavuz and S. Alpay13 February 2009 | Journal of Mining Science, Vol. 44, No. 4A decision support system using analytical hierarchy process (AHP) for the optimal environmental reclamation of an open-pit mineA. Bascetin19 September 2006 | Environmental Geology, Vol. 52, No. 4Network optimization for the design of underground minesM. Brazil and D.A. Thomas1 January 2006 | Networks, Vol. 49, No. 1Selection of roadheaders by fuzzy multiple attribute decision making methodO. Acaroglu, C. Feridunoglu and D. Tumac5 September 2013 | Mining Technology, Vol. 115, No. 3Technical note : An application of the analytic hierarchy process in equipment selection at Orhaneli open pit coal mineA. Bascetin5 September 2013 | Mining Technology, Vol. 113, No. 3 Recommended Vol. 11, No. 01 Metrics History PDF download

Geomechanical Substantiation of the Parameters for Underground Mining of “Mir” Kimberlite Pipe

The change in the stress-strain state of ore mass and enclosing rocks on the transition from open to underground mining method in the “Mir” mine is estimated.

Environmental Impact of Coal Mining on Water Regime and Its Management

Coal mining is one of the core industries that contribute to the economic development of a country but deteriorate theenvironment. Being the primary source of energy coal has becomeessential to meet the energy demand of a country. It isexcavated by both opencast and underground mining methods andaffects the environment, especially water resources, by discharginghuge amounts of mine water. The mine water may be acidic orneutral depending upon the pyrite content in the coal asinorganic impurities. Acid mine drainage occurs in those mines in which sulphur content is found in the range of 1–5% in the form of Pyrite (FeS2). It degrades the water qualityof the region in terms of lowering the pH of the surrounding water resources and increasing the level of total suspended solids, total dissolved solids and some heavy metals. In non acidic mines, water quality shows high hardness, TSS and bacterial contaminants. The leachate water from overburden dump are found enriched in metal concentration especially Fe, Cu, Mn and Ni except in one of the clayey dumps. High values ofhardness of mine water reduces it's utility in domestic purposes.The article illustrates the quality of acidic and non acidic minewater and leachate characteristics of opencast coal mining OBdumps. Pollutants such as TSS, TDS, oil and grease and heavy metalare found in the coal mining waste effluents. Management ofthese liquid waste at the primary level and secondary level havealso been suggested to control the pollution level at the source.

Review of:“Techniques in Underground Mining: Selections from Underground Mining Methods Handbook” (1998). Edited by Richard E. Gertsch and Richard L. Bullock. Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration Inc. P.O. Box 625002. Littleton, CO, U.S.A. 80162-5002.

Review of:“Techniques in Underground Mining: Selections from Underground Mining Methods Handbook” (1998). Edited by Richard E. Gertsch and Richard L. Bullock. Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration Inc. P.O. Box 625002. Littleton, CO, U.S.A. 80162-5002.

Work Sampling Applied to a Human Factors Analysis of Mine Worker Positioning

Growing concern from labor unions, regulatory agencies, and industry about the safety of a prevalent underground coal mining method which utilizes remote control has prompted human factors field evaluation of mining activities. Remote control operations were implemented with little consideration given to human-system interactions. Ideally, collecting and analyzing information prior to implementing new technology would have helped to address potential problems. One such problem that operators and other mine personnel are faced with is the question of where they should safely position themselves to avoid injury while remotely operating machinery. To determine work methods employed by machine operators before and after implementation of the new method, work sampling techniques have been used to provide data about positioning of face crew members at different points in the mining cycle. This data provides information for optimal positioning, leading to safer operating procedures and identifying training shortfalls.

Future robotic mining at INCO Limited — the next 25 years : G. R. Baiden, CIM Bulletin, 89(996), 1996, pp 36–40

The next 25 years will see major changes in underground mining equipment and methods through the gradual introduction of robotic mining equipment. The necessary components of this change are already being experimented with and some are in production today. This paper explores the elements required to achieve robotic mining: telecommunication systems, robotic mining equipment underground positioning systems and robotic mining software. With these elements explored, the economics of moving to robotic mining will be discussed.

Rock instability and risk analyses in open stope mine design

Modern underground mining methods often call for the excavation of large, often unsupported voids called stopes. In many cases, these are nonentry stopes, with the removal of broken rock (mucking) performed by remote control. With the risk to human safety thus reduced, stability concerns within the stopes are primarily driven by the economics of unplanned overbreak and waste rock dilution of the mined ore. In this context, it is appropriate to speak of acceptable risks of instability and to optimize design by balancing risk costes with productivity potential. Larger individual stopes generally increase productivity while reducing stability. The modified stability graph is a popular empirical mine design tool that has been calibrated to provide discrete recommendations for maximum stope dimensions based on a rock quality index. It seems appropriate to extend the method to account for variability in the calibration data and also for variability in each new set of input parameters. A risk template and associated probabilistic techniques are proposed to supplement the discrete design limits currently established. Key words: risk, mining, stability, design, emperical.

Comparative underground coal mining methods

The number of science publications is growing exponentially, thus increasing the need for understanding the knowledge base of various research streams and their emerging branches. From a social science perspective, the literature on the mining sector – the industrial sector that extracts ores and minerals from the ground – has also witnessed steady growth. However, this literature is rather fragmented in regards to the thematic topics and the geographical focus. To respond to this, this paper offers a systematic literature review of the social science research on the mining sector. The publication database of this review includes a set of 483 systemically selected papers from 976 authors, covering empirical research conducted in 73 countries from 5 continents: Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and America. Our contribution is twofold. Firstly, we provide an analysis of the geography of the research in terms of both authorship and empirical focus. In terms of the geographical coverage of the empirical cases, Australia appears as the most studied country in the field, followed by countries in other regions such as Asia (China, India, Russia and Turkey), Africa (Ghana, South Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo), North America (the USA and Canada), Latin America (Brazil and Chile) and Europe (Poland, Spain and Sweden). However, this dispersion is not reflected in the geographical coverage of the affiliations of the authors. Secondly, we identify the most popular social science research topics on the mining sector. Our results show that the social science research on the mining sector shifted from the traditional research streams (e.g., industrialisation and growth, colonialization, technological and economic development, and the resource curse) to the new streams of research on social, environmental and economical sustainability (e.g., the social license to operate, corporate social responsibility, criticality of the rare earth elements, material flow analysis and environmental impacts). Overall, our study serves as an entry point for researches who are interested in social science research on the mining sector.

Coal geology, chemical and petrographical characteristics, and implications for coalbed methane development of subbituminous coals from the Sorgun and Suluova Eocene basins, Turkey

Abstract The Sorgun and Suluova basins contain a thick and laterally extensive Lower Eocene coal seam. The stratigraphy of both basins comprises basement rocks, the Yozgat Granitoid of Pre-Eocene age in the Sorgun basin and Jurassic-Cretaceous limestones in the Suluova basin, overlain unconformably by the coal-bearing Lower Eocene Celtek Formation and by transgressive units of Middle-Upper Eocene age. In the Sorgun basin the Artova Ophiolitic Complex tectonically overlies the transgressive units. Neogene and Quaternary deposits cover all the older units unconformably in both basins. The single coal seam is located at the base of the Celtek Formation and reaches a thickness of 6 m in the open-cast mine at Sorgun and 8 m in boreholes in the Suluova basin. Some coal is produced by opencast mining, but most is produced by underground mining methods. A total of 75 coal samples was collected from both basins and analysed chemically and petrographically. The coals are characterized by a relatively low moisture content (0.7–9.3 wt% on an air-dried basis) and variable ash yields (2.4–67.8 wt% on an air-dried basis) and huminite contents (28.4–89.6 vol%). Measurements of the mean random reflectance of ulminite (mainly eu-ulminite A) vary between 0.46 and 0.60% (0.53% average). These reflectance values and the chemical analyses show that the rank is subbituminous A or transitional to high-volatile bituminous C coal according to the ASTM classification. The coalbed methane potential of both basins is at present unknown. No borehole has been drilled to explore for this resource and no gas capacity value has been obtained for the coal seam and bituminous shales. The methane explosions which have occurred during coal production in the underground mines imply that both basins may have been an important potential for coalbed methane.

Impact of mining on the groundwater chemistry in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (Poland)

The Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB), 7500 sq.km area (including 5500 sq.km in Poland), is situated in the Variscian Upper Silesian intermountain depression. Coal-bearing Upper Carboniferous rocks occur beneath the permeable Mesozoic and Quarternary sediments in the NE part of the USCB and the impermeable Tertiary clay series in the southern and north—western parts. Studies on hydrogeochemical environment showed a normal vertical and horizontal hydrogeochemical zone in the full extent of the basin. This zone is characterized by changes in mineralization and chemical of waters along circulation routes. Strongly mineralized waters of isolated structures represent brines of the type Cl−Na and specially Cl−Na−Ca. A general trend of increased mineralization is noted along with depth of occurrence of water independently of age of the strata. The general regularity is disturbed by the phenomena of hydrochemical inversion mainly due to the mining activity. In the USCB coal deposits have began to be intensively exploited as early as the 18th century. The coal seams are exploited by the underground mining method, mainly by the longwall system, down to the average depth from 650 m to 1200 m. The steadily increasing mining depth and the opening of new mining levels increase the extent of drainage by mines and amounts as well as salinity of pumped out water. The total quantity of water pumped out of mines equals 724 m3/min. Area of decreased piezometric heads, because of the mine drainage, covers about 2000 sq.km. As the coal mine workings are carried out in different hydrochemical zones, the chemistry of the pumped mine waters vary significantly, with the mineralization of natural mine water ranging from 0.2 to 372.0 g/dm3. The artificial hydraulic interconnections created by mining activities and deep drainage cause changes in the natural hydrochemical regime of groundwater. The desalination effect caused by mining activity depends mainly on the depth and size of mining, duration of exploitation, drainage activity and geological conditions of the USCB. The present hydrochemical zone in the USCB determined by the mining impact is shown on the maps of groundwater mineralization at the depth of 500 and 750 m, as well as on the map of the depth of the occurrence of saline waters (35 g/dm3). There is a close correlation between mineralization of water in the Carboniferous within the coal fields and the type of overlying rocks as well as degree in which the rock mass is affected by mine workings. The maximum salinity of water was found in depressional structures under the cover of sealing. Tertiary rocks, host structure not covered by the Tertiary and affected by mine workings for over a hundred years are characterized by a marked desalination of waters to the depth of about 500 m.

Surface effects of total coal-seam extraction by underground mining methods : Wagner, H; Schumann, E H R J S Afr Inst Min MetallV91, N7, July 1991, P221–231

The paper gives a detailed overview of the history of subsidence engineering on South African collieries. Surface displacements resulting from total-seam extraction are discussed, and the important role of local geology is highlighted. It is shown that the differences in subsidence behaviour between South African and European collieries can be attributed to the presence of competent strata in the overburden of South African coal seams. Criteria are given for the prediction of the most important subsidence parameters, and a new model for the simulation of surface subsidence above total-extraction panels is introduced. The final section of the paper deals with the damage to surface structures caused by total-seam extraction. A brief summary of the most important undermining experiments on South African collieries is given, and it is concluded that local experiences of damage compare with those in Europe.

Expert systems for teaching and training in the mineral industry

A series of rule-based Expert Systems have been developed using COMDALE/X to teach a variety of subjects to undergraduate students enroled in mineral-related disciplines. Topics covered include: Qualitative Mineralogy, Underground Mining Method Selection, Rock Quality Classification, Flotation Reagent Selection, Unit Process Selection, Fracture Analysis and Principles of Process Control. The approaches, methodology, implementation and evaluation of these systems are described.

Microprocessor-Controlled Down-The-Hole Drill for Enhancing Productivity and Accuracy in Underground Hardrock Bulk Mining Methods

Underground bulk mining methods are being used increasingly where geology and ground conditions permit. Relative to alternative methods, they are more productive and safe. Down-the-hole drills are commonly used in bulk mining to drill blast holes. Although present performance is satisfactory, further improvement is possible from more accurate initial drill setting and the availability of on-line drill azimuth and deviation reports. Microprocessor-controlled accessories developed to achieve these goals are described.

A fuzzy set approach to the selection of mining method

Fuzzy set theory is a new mathematic tool to deal with ambiguous phenomena. The selection of an underground mining method is a typical fuzzy set problem. This paper presents a fuzzy set algorithm to select the optimum mining method for the mine to be planned. The new approach consists of three phases: the initial selection, technical and economic forecasting and the final decision.

In-Situ Leaching of Crownpoint, NM, Uranium Ore: Part 7--Laboratory Study of Chemical Agents for Molybdenum Restoration

Summary. One possible drawback to the use of in-situ leaching to recover uranium is the potential release of previously insoluble chemical species into the formation water. Before a pilot test of in-situ uranium leaching at Crownpoint, NM, was begun, extensive laboratory studies were undertaken to develop chemical methods for treating one possible contaminant, molybdenum (Mo). New Mexico regulations restrict the amount of Mo permissible in formation waters after leaching to less than 1 ppm. permissible in formation waters after leaching to less than 1 ppm. Two techniques to restore Mo after leaching were studied with core and pack tests. These studies suggest that if Mo restoration problems occur in the field, the use of precipitating agents such as Ca 2 + or reducing agents such as Fe 2 + may be helpful in ameliorating such problems. Introduction Typically, uranium has been produced by conventional underground mining and surface milling methods, but insitu leaching has recently emerged as an attractive alternative for uranium recovery. Before an in-situ leach operation to produce uranium in the Westwater Canyon member of the Morrison formation near Crownpoint, NM, was begun, comprehensive laboratory studies of ore mineralogy and leachate formulations were undertaken. The resultant pilot test was the deepest (2,000 ft [610 m]) successful in-situ uranium leach test carried out in the U.S. and the first operation of its type conducted in New Mexico. While in-situ leaching has significant advantages over conventional uranium recovery methods, one possible drawback is the release of previously insoluble chemical species into the formation water. Of course, conventional mining also has the potential to mobilize hazardous trace metals in the environment, as indicated by the elevated concentrations of Mo in waters downstream from the large Mo deposit at Climax, CO. Before the start of the Crownpoint pilot test, laboratory testing was undertaken to develop chemical methods for treating one possible contaminant, Mo. Ore analyses from the Westwater sands at the Crownpoint pilot site revealed Mo occurrences in the intended leach zone. In-situ production of uranium entails oxidizing uranium from the insoluble +4 oxidation state to the soluble, readily complexed +6 state, i.e., However, this process also transforms insoluble Mo 4+ minerals such as molybdenite or jordesite, both MoS2, into the soluble +6 form, molybdate, MoO4 2-, i.e., Current New Mexico environmental regulations restrict the amount of Mo permissible in formation waters after leaching to less than 1 ppm. Restoration of formation water to acceptable levels for each of the dissolved solids is the final phase of leaching operations. Three recent reports deal with restoration operations in in-situ uranium leaching in a most comprehensive manner. The main difficulty is that the original chemicalreducing environment underground has been changed to an oxidizing one during the leaching process. Undesirable species can continue to be slowly released from underground rock surfaces long after the primary leaching has ceased. Obviously, the contaminants need to be rendered insoluble. To reduce Mo levels in groundwater after leaching operations, there are at least two methods of restoration:the MoO4 2- may be precipitated by addition of a cation orthe oxidizing environment can be changed to a reducing one, converting the Mo back to the less soluble +4 oxidation state, perhaps to Mo3 O8. The latter technique has been characterized by Henry et al. as recreating the original mineralization process. Both techniques were studied in the experiments described in this report. Calcium ion (Ca2+ was used to precipitate MoO4 2 -. Ferrous ion (Fe2+ a reducing precipitate MoO4 2 -. Ferrous ion (Fe2+ a reducing agent, was studied to see whether it could render Mo insoluble. JPT P. 1301

Cosmogenic 10Be in Zaire alluvial diamonds: implications for 3He contents of diamonds

To determine the amounts of cosmic-ray produced ('cosmogenic') 3He which could be created in diamonds during their post-eruptive residence in near-surface regions, we have measured the concentration of 10Be (half life, 1.6 Myr) in an industrial diamond sample. The motivation to study cosmogenic 3He in diamonds comes from the recent observations1,2 of 3He/4He ratios in some diamonds that are even higher than meteoritic values (so-called 'planetary' helium with 3He/4He = 1.4×10−4). We measured 10Be in an alluvial diamond sample, using radiochemical and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) techniques. The observed 10Be concentration, 2.46 ± 0.39×106 atoms g−1, leads to an effective surface exposure of 3.3×105 yr for these diamonds. This corresponds to a substantial cosmogenic production of 3He in the alluvial diamonds, ≥=29% of the total 3He. We conclude that the high 3He/4He ratios in at least some diamonds are due to cosmogenic 3He production in near-surface regions during their residence in alluvial or weathering deposits. Thus, in order to establish that such high 3He/4He ratios existed in the mantle at one time, it is a priori necessary to study diamonds collected by underground mining methods.

Geotechnical considerations influencing the choice between surface and underground mining : Lindsay, M S Aust J Coal Min Technol ResN9, 1985, P9–17

The results of a geotechnical evaluation of a proven coal deposit influence the decision to extract the deposit by either surface or underground mining methods. The information obtained from these studies is used to optimise mine designs to determine the most economically efficient, safe and environmentally acceptable design. The geotechnical information used determines the optimum mine layout to avoid hazards and impediments to production. The information assists in the determination of machine specifications and their likely production rates.