Albyn gold deposit: Geological features, physical and mechanical properties

The article describes geological structure, as well as physical and mechanical properties of Albyn gold deposit and enclosing rock mass. The studies have determined density, uniaxial compressive strength, uniaxial tensile strength and elastic properties of rocks (Poisson’s ratio and Young’s modulus) under conditions of natural humidity and in water-saturated state. The lab-scale tests used pressing machines ToniPACT II-2091 and ToniNORM-2020. From the test results, the failure envelopes of rocks are plotted. Internal friction angle and cohesion were found from the estimated brittleness index. The latter points at dynamic fracture ability of rocks. The index of brittleness was evaluated in two ways: using graphic procedure and calculation. The indexes of rock mass classifications and ratings were calculated for ore and enclosing rocks. The studies reveal high values of the compressive strength in some test samples, which means that there are zones of the increased stress in rock mass areas composed of strong and brittle rocks. Accordingly, under certain geomechanical conditions in the course of mining, such rocks can go to hazardous state, up to dynamic fracture in certain areas of Albyn gold deposit, and Albyn rock mass can be assumed as rockburst-hazardous.

Rasskazov M. I., Tsoi D. I., Kryukov V. G., Potapchuk M. I., Fedotova Yu. V. Albyn gold deposit: Geological features, physical and mechanical properties. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2021;(5—2):146—161. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2021_52_0_146.

Rasskazov M. I.¹, Researcher, Mining Geophysics Laboratory;
Tsoi D. I.¹, Researcher, Geomechanics Laboratory;
Kryukov V. G.¹, Leading Researcher, Cand. Sci. (Geol. Mineral.), Efficient Subsoil Use Laboratory;
Potapchuk M. I.¹, Leading Researcher, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Laboratory for Digital Research Methods for Nature and Technology Systems;
Fedotova Yu. V.¹, Leading Researcher, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Laboratory for Digital Research Methods for Nature and Technology Systems;
¹ The Institute of Mining is a separate division of the Khabarovsk Federal Research Center of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Khabarovsk, Russia

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