The role of Ground Control in a Mining Project - from Confidence to Immediate Response

Falmagne, Veronique

Abstract

In addition to environmental excellence and social acceptance, successful mining projects rely on maintaining a safe working environment, controlled and well-managed costs, and uninterrupted production at the required mining rate and ore grade. In the early stages of a project, the emphasis is typically on acquiring sufficient geotechnical data to support the selection of an optimum mining method, excavation design, mine sequencing, ground support and backfill design. Analyses of ground stability and excavation performance are conducted based on the best available knowledge of rock mass characteristics and an assessment of potential failure mechanisms. Getting either one of these wrong can have costly consequences; therefore, gaining sufficient confidence in the geotechnical model is a key preoccupation. As the mine is developed and operators gain experience with the rock mass response the primary focus shifts, at least in part, to managing current conditions and immediate response. This is accomplished by developing a Ground Control Management Plan, protocols, TARPS, procedures and relies on real time data acquisition and analysis. Continuing the refinement of and increasing confidence in the geotechnical model is critical throughout the complete life cycle of a mine.

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The role of Ground Control in a Mining Project - from Confidence to Immediate Response

Abstract

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