JTM Vol. XVI No.

2/2009

ESTIMATION OF ROCK SUPPORT TYPE FOR THE SOUTH RAMP DOWN B DEVELOPMENT AT PONGKOR UNDERGROUND GOLD MINE
Budi Sulistianto1, Ridho K. Wattimena1, Suseno Kramadibrata1, Tyas A. Rabudianto1, Ahmad Ardianto2
Sari Pada tambang bawah tanah, akses jalan menuju cebakan bijih mempunyai fungsi yang sangat vital. Oleh karena itu, jika kondisi massa batuan masuk kategori tidak menguntungkan, maka system penyangga yang diterapkan di jalan akses tersebut menjadi kebutuhan penting. Penyelidikan geoteknik harus dilakukan untuk memenuhi kebutuhan data yang diperlukan dalam desain sistem penyangga. Tambang Ciurug adalah salah satu lokasi di Tambang Emas Bawah Tanah di Pongkor dimana kegiatan penambangan sedang aktif, dan terkonsentrasi di level 500m sampai level 700m. Dalam rangka untuk menunjang keberlangsungan tambang, pengembangan tambang dilakukan untuk mencapai level 400m.Ramp down sebagai akses untuk mencapai level ini dibuat. Penyelidikan geoteknik untuk memahami kondisi massa batuan di sepanjang jalur ramp down dilakukan. Berdasarkan data yang diperoleh dari pemetaan geologi struktur dan pengamatan inti bor, orientasi dari joint utama relative sejajar dengan urat bijih. Dengan menggunakan RMR, segmen-segmen di sepanjang jalur ramp down akan berada di batuan yang dikategorikan masuk kedalam kelas II dan III. Berdasarkan kelas tersebut dan juga mempertimbangkan system penyangga yang sudah digunakan di tambang ini, maka jenis penyangga yang disarankan adalah friction bolt dikombinasikan dengan wiremesh serta baja/kayu dalam bentuk three piece sets bila dijumpai batuan dalam kondisi buruk. Penagkat lunak yang berbasis Metode Elemen Hingga (FEM) kemudian digunakan untuk memverifikasi jenis penyangga yang disarankan. Kata kunci: tambang bawah tanah, rump down, desain penyangga, RMR, FEM. Abstract In the underground mine, access road to the ore deposit is vital due to its function. Rock support applied in the access road, therefore, becomes necessary if the rock mass condition is unfavourable. Geotechnical investigation is very important to satisfy the need of data in the design of the rock support. Ciurug Mine is one of the locations in Pongkor Underground Gold Mine where mining activity is running, and concentrated at level 500m to level 700m. In order to continuing the mine life, mine development is carried out to reach level 400m. The ramp down as access to reach this level is constructed. Geotechnical investigation for understanding the rock mass condition along the ramp down line is then carried out. The orientation of major joint revealed from the structural mapping and core observation, is relatively parallel to the vein. Using RMR along segments of the ramp down line, it is obtained that the rock mass was vary from class II and III. Based on this class and also considering the support system used in this mine, the design of the support type is friction bolt combined with wiremesh as well as steel/timber in three pieces set type in the worse condition. Finite Element Methods (FEM) based software is then used for verifying the suggested support. Keywords : underground mine, ramp down, support design, rock mass rating (RMR), FEM.
1) 2)

Department of Mining Engineering, ITB, Bandung 40132, Indonesia. Email : bst@mining.itb.ac.id PT. ANTAM, Tbk., Jakarta, Indonesia

I. BACKGROUND Ciurug Mine is one of active underground mine in Pongkor Underground Gold Mine which is located in Bogor of West Java Province, Indonesia. The gold ore at this area is mined by fully mechanized cut and fill stoping method. Current mining activity is concentrated at level 500m to level 700m. In order to continuing the mine life, the mine development is expanded down to Level 400m. As mine access to the level 400m, a ramp down is excavated. For this reason, a geotechnical investigation in this area was carried out emphasizing in comprehending the rock mass properties and subsequently putting forward the required roof support arrangement along the ramp down. The investigation is still

required after part of the ramp down has been excavated for understanding the geological structure and the rock mass condition. II. GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION 2.1.Geological Structures Mapping Scan line of geological structure mapping was carried out at Xcut 8, Xcut 9, Xcut 10 and footwall drift in the South Ciurug Mine of Level 500m, and the result is shown in Figure 1. Having obtained the mapping, the major orientation of weakness planes was assumed continue so that the general picture of the weakness plane existing in the proposed ramp down is understood and predicted. The geological structure of the weakness plane is considered continue because the height
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Budi Sulistianto, Ridho K. Wattimena, Suseno Kramadibrata, Tyas A. Rabudianto, Ahmad Ardianto difference between Xcut and the ramp down B was less than 100 m. The values of the predominant orientation and average joint spacing of joints for each cluster are given in Table 1 (Sulistianto et.al., 2008). The vein at Ciurug mine has orientation (strike/dip) about 060/70 and the data of geological structure presented in Table 1 indicates that the predominant orientation of the weakness planes is relatively in line with that of vein (71o). 2.2.Rock Drilling and Laboratory Testing The geotechnical drilling was carried out from the footwall drift of Level 500 through the rock mass nearby the proposed ramp down. Figure 3 shows the positions of drill holes which are named GTRD 01 and GTRD 03. RQD from each borehole was also determined. The rock samples for laboratory testing obtained from GTRD 01 and GTRD 03 were then tested to determine their physical and mechanical properties, and the results were given in Table 2. III. ROCK SUPPORT ESTIMATION 3.1. Evaluation of the Geotechnical Condition of the Ramp Down Based on the UCS values (see Table 2), the intact rock nearby the proposed ramp down can be classified into medium high strength rock (Bieniawski, 1973). As revealed from field observation, the condition of the rock mass nearby the proposed ramp down can be said as massive and strong rock although the rock mass is intersected by a number of veinlets and joints, except at rock mass close to the vein which is categorized as alteration zone. Following the ramp down design and considering the analysis purposes, the ramp down is divided into 3 segments such as S, E and N (see Figure 4). This division is made concerning with the fact that the major orientation of the geological structure in this area is corresponding with that of vein and direction of tunnel excavation. The excavation starts at segment S, at which the joint orientation at the front view of its cross section incline of 72o CCW of the horizontal axis (see Table 2). When the excavation reaches the segment E, the position of the geological structure would appear horizontal at the front view cross section. Likewise, when the excavation hits segment N, the position of the geological structure would appear opposite to the presentation of the geological structure that is seen at segment S. 3.2. Determination of Rock Mass Condition Using RMR Having observed the rock mass conditions in the ramp down, the following are the input parameters for the RMR. 1. Compressive strength value obtained from drill-core sample tested in laboratory (Table 2). The strength of intact rock in ramp down B location level 490 obtained from GTRD 01 (55-56.35 m depth), that is 57.92 MPa and GTRD 03 (in 35.75 36.75 m depth) that is 70.09 MPa. 2. RQD value obtained from GTRD 01 and GTRD 03 (Table 2), RQD value for level 490 is 90% - 98% 3. The average of joint spacing determined by measurement of discontinuities from nearest location is 1.24 m (table 1). 4. The thickness of filling material is about 1-10 mm, and the type of gouges are strongth material, that is quartz. 5. The water condition of the rock mass can be generally deemed wet. 6. The degree of weathering of the rock mass indicated moderately weathered. By using all the parameters mentioned the basic RMR could then be determined, and this was subsequently corrected with the presence of the main orientation of the weakness planes against the direction of the excavation. The final RMR or the corrected RMR suggests that the rock mass condition can be said as fair rock mass which is given in Table 3. 3.3.Supporting System Based on the result of the rock mass classification method mentioned above, rock support used in the mine which is friction-bolt combined with wire-mesh but sometimes installed also steel/timber in three pieces set type if facing the worse rock condition. Referring the support pattern in the hard rock (Hoek et.al, 1995), for the good rock class, only friction bolt at roof with distance between bolt is 1.5-2m, spacing of 1m, is required. For the fair rock class, the pattern of support is friction bolt at roof and side-wall, distance of bolt is 1.5-2m, spacing of 1m, and wire-mesh at the roof, and inclination of bolt should be modified considering the discontinuities orientation. 3.4. Analysis of Supporting System Using Numerical Method FEM based software named Phase 2.V.50 from Rockscience was used for analysing the proposed supporting system at the ramp down. Modelling was exercised using two approaches such as tunnel without support and with support. The geometry of the opening was set as the real condition which was height of 4 m

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Estimation of Rock Support Type for TheSouth Ramp Down B Development at Pongkor Underground Gold Mine and width of 4 m. The input parameters for this modelling used the data given in Table 2. In order to get an understanding of how to install a rock bolt properly, modelling was run applying breccia rock and polimic breccia with direction of the weakness plane as it is in segment N (Figure 4). The major and minor principal stresses were 4.076 MPa and 0.4. MPa respectively and the counter clockwise angle between 1 to the horizontal plane was 76o (Sulistianto et al, 2003). The modelling suggested that the breccia rock mass of the opening without support was stable but it become weaker when the rock mass is polimic breccia. The displacement increased at parimeter of the opening (Figure 5). Thus, rock bolt should then be installed in order to prevent the opening collapses. IV. ROCK SUPPORT DESIGN VERIFICATION Currently, there are part of segment at ramp down B which have been constructed. Observation in order to verify the rock support design is conducted at ramp down B (metre 0 90), including structure mapping to know the actual orientation and condition of discontinuities, ground water condition and intact rock strength using point load test. 4.1. Mapping of Discontinuities Result of geological structure mapping obtained the major discontinuities which is still in line with the discontinuity estimated at the previous geotechnical investigation. The result of this mapping can be seen at Table 5 and Figure 6. The visualisation of joint mapping for the rock mass in ramp down at distance of 30 90 m can be seen in Figures 7 and 8. Based on the result of stuctures mapping at the location can be seen that dominant orientation of discontinuities (057/73) having dip direction which is parallel relative with vein (060/70). From the result of this observation giving information that existing structure is same as determined estimate before. So that the previous support recommendation can be used for the next excavation. 4.2. Evaluation of RMR Value The orientation of major structure used as correction factor of RMR system regarding to the tunnel direction. The result of structures mapping and their influence to the tunneling is like seen at Table 6. RMR parametres which have been measured at location of ramp down B can be explained as follows : 1. UCS value obtained from point load test 51.43 MPa untill 87.47 MPa rock strength at ramp down B as the result of point load test. This rock strength can be classified as medium strength rock (Bieniawski, 1973). By Priest and Hudson equation, RQD value can be determined. (frequency of discontinuity per metre) as input of this equation ( RQD = 100 e 0.1 (0.1 + 1) ), average RQD value is 99.31 %. Avarage joint spacing is 0.82(Table 5) which is revealed by direct structures mapping at the side wall of Ramp down. Discontinuities condition of ramp down have rough surface. It means that good for underground stability. Joint aperture is 1 10 mm, so it is classified into opened joint, however, it is found also joint filled by clay and calcite (weak materials). The water condition of the rock mass can be generally deemed wet. The degree of weathering of the rock mass indicated average weathered.

2.

3.

4.

5. 6.

RMR is then calculated in the some segments of Ramp down B with 10 metre distance. This segmentation is conducted with consideration of existence of different parameter value especially at parameters of UCS, RQD and joint spacing. By using all the parameters mentioned above, the basic RMR could then be determined, and this is subsequently corrected with the presence of the main orientation of the weakness planes against the direction of the excavation. The final RMR or the corrected RMR suggests that the rock mass condition can be said as good rock to fair rock mass (shown in Table 7). V. CONCLUSSION 1. Rock mass condition based on observation at excavated area of ramp down B is classified into class II (good rock mass) untill class III (fair rock mass). 2. Therefore, the support system which is friction-bolt combined with wire-mesh but sometimes replaced with steel/timber in three pieces set type if facing the worse rock condition are still able to be applied. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors would like to thank to Pongkor Gold Mining Business Unit of PT. Antam, Tbk. for the possibility and opportunity to conduct this study.

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Budi Sulistianto, Ridho K. Wattimena, Suseno Kramadibrata, Tyas A. Rabudianto, Ahmad Ardianto REFERENCES 1. Bieniawski, Z.T., 1989, Engineering Rock Mass Classifications, John Wiley & Sons Inc., Canada. Hoek, E., and Brown, E.T., 1980, Underground Excavation in Rock, The Institution of Mining and Metallurgy., London. Hoek, E., Kaiser, P.K., and Bawden, W.F., 1995, Support of Underground Excavations in Hard Rock, A.A Balkema., Rotterdam. Sulistianto, B., Rai, M.A., Kramadibrata, S., Nakagawa.H., SetiawanID., Janu, E., Risono, 2003, Determination of In situ Stress Using Hydraulic Fracturing Method at Pongkor Underground Gold Mine, West Java Indonesia. Proc. of the 3rd Int. Symp. on Rock Stress RS Kumamoto 03, Kumamoto, Japan., A.A. Balkema Publ.pp 383-388. Sulistianto, B., Wattimena, R.K., Kramadibrata, S., Rabudianto, T.A., Ardianto, A., 2008, The Role of Geotechnical Investigation on The Ramp Down Development in Pongkor Underground Gold Mine. Proc. of Int. Symp. on Earth Sci. And Tech. 2008, Fukuoka, Japan., CINEST,pp 291-298.

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5.

3.

4.

Table 1. Scan line result conducted in the Cross Cut (Sulistianto, 2008) No Location Dip Direction/Dip 056/76 Joint Spacing (M) 1.69

Stereonet

Footwall 1 Drift Ciurug (N161OE) Xcut 8 Ciurug 2 (N79OE)

331/87

1.80

073/72

0.43

Xcut 9 Ciurug 3 (N76OE) 075/74 0.31

Xcut 10 Ciurug 4 (N77OE) 080/69 0.41

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Estimation of Rock Support Type for TheSouth Ramp Down B Development at Pongkor Underground Gold Mine

Table 2. Recapitulation of laboratory testing

Bore hole Depth from collar (m) 25.50-24.00 55.00-56.35 08.95-11.25 35.75-36.75 Lithology RQD (MPa) 59.72 57.92 59.13 70.09 UCS Test E (MPa) 17631.90 12841.20 12470.45 16302.17 Direct Shear Test Cresidual peak (MPa) ( o) 0.09 38.6 0.16 35.7 0.19 41.4 0.23 45.2 Triaxial Test C (MPa) ( o) 12.58 47.40 6.94 54.11 15.29 47.55 23.26 28.77 Density (gr/cm3 ) 2.54 2.53 3.16 3.33

0.21 0.22 0.27 0.25

GTRD-01 GTRD-01 GTRD-03 GTRD-03

Breccia Breccia Andes.Breccia Breccia

98.00 90.00 95.00 98.00

Cpeak (MPa) 0.17 0.28 0.35 0.38

residual ( o) 27.1 25.2 26.7 26.8

Table 3. RMR of the ramp down B Location RMR

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Condition Fair Good Good Fair Fair

Segment S11 S13 E13 N11 E11

RAMP DOWN B

63 71 51 56

Table 4. Specification of the proposed rock bolt

SPESIFICATION Yield Strength Ultimate Tensile Strength of Tube Friction Bolt Diameter Hole Diameter Mass per metre Length Minimum 345 Mpa 120 kN 460 Mpa 165 kN Typical 445 Mpa 160 kN 510 Mpa 180 kN 47 mm 43 mm (min) / 45.5 mm (max) 2.79 kg 2.4 m / 3 m

Table 5. Result of structures mapping at Ramp Down B Location SET RAMP DOWN B Joint Set Dip Dir/ Dip 057/73 303/79 Average Joint Spacing (m)

0.82

Table 6. Discontinuity Orientation of Ramp Down B Location Tunnel Direction RAMP DOWN B N 353 E N 308 E 2 057/73 303/79 The number of Joint set Orientation of Discontinuity Effect of discontinuities to the tunnelling.

Dip direction of discontinuities almost perpendicular to tunnel direction, this condition is not good

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Budi Sulistianto, Ridho K. Wattimena, Suseno Kramadibrata, Tyas A. Rabudianto, Ahmad Ardianto

Table 7. Rock Mass Condition of Ramp Down B Location RMR Condition Meter RAMP 68.97 Good rock 0 10 61.29 Good rock 10 30 58.94 Fair rock 40 60 DOWN B 60.94 Fair rock 60 70 62.43 Good rock 70 80 61.47 Good rock 80 90

Figure 1. Location of investigation

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Estimation of Rock Support Type for TheSouth Ramp Down B Development at Pongkor Underground Gold Mine

Figure 2. Excavated segment of Ramp Down

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Budi Sulistianto, Ridho K. Wattimena, Suseno Kramadibrata, Tyas A. Rabudianto, Ahmad Ardianto

Figure 3. Location of geotechnical drilling

Figure 3. Location of geotechnical drilling

Direction of Excavation

N
E E

N Tampak Front Depan

N Tampak Side Samping

Figure 4. Main segment at the ramp down excavation

Figure 6. Stereonet of discontinuities orientation at ramp down B.

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Estimation of Rock Support Type for TheSouth Ramp Down B Development at Pongkor Underground Gold Mine Input model Breccia : E : 12.841 MPa : 0.22 C : 6.94 : 54.11 Joint : C : 0.16 MPa : 25.2 Andes. Breccia: E : 12.470 MPa : 0.27 C : 15.29 : 47.55 Joint : C : 0.16 MPa : 25.2 Before support installation After support installation

Figure 5. Recommendation of support system using numerical method

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Budi Sulistianto, Ridho K. Wattimena, Suseno Kramadibrata, Tyas A. Rabudianto, Ahmad Ardianto

3Ds visualization

2Ds visualization

Tunnel direction : N 353 E ; Discontinuities : 057/73, 303/79

Figure 8. . Discontinuities Visualization of RAMP DOWN B meter 0-30 0

3Ds visualization

2Ds visualization

Tunnel direction : N 308 E ; Discontinuities : 057/73, 303/79 Figure 9. Discontinuities Visualization of RAMP DOWN B meter 60 90

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