Validation of safe underground ore mining with regard to large tectonic faults

The stress–strain modeling and analysis results are presented as a case-study of underground mining in Oleny Ruchei apatite–nepheline deposit in the southeast of the Khibiny Massif. The modeling took into account the mountainous terrain, parameters of ore bodies and large faults, as well as the in-situ data on stresses and strains. The Massif is composed of strong and brittle rocks, and is subjected to high tectonic stresses, which conditions the rockburst hazard of the deposit. The authoring model enables forecasting geomechanical situations at different stoping configurations for a few years ahead. The multivariate stress–strain analysis in step-by-step mining is implemented in application Sigma GT using 3D finite element method. As a result of the stress pattern examination, alternatives of access cutting and mining advance at low geomechanical risk are proposed for the conditions of the test deposit. The safest mining sequence chosen can eliminate work stoppage because of confining pressure-induced dynamic events, as well as can cut down expenses connected with destressing activities and support installation in underground openings.

Semenova I. E., Avetisian I. M. Validation of safe underground ore mining with regard to large tectonic faults. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2021;(10):90-99. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2021_10_0_90.

I.E. Semenova¹, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Head of Department, e-mail: i.semenova@ksc.ru,
I.M. Avetisian¹, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Senior Researcher,
¹ Mining Institute, Kola Scientific Centre of Russian Academy of Sciences, 184209, Apatity, Russia.

I.E. Semenova, e-mail: i.semenova@ksc.ru.

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