Block Caving Instead of Open Pit

Mining – A way to decrease waste rock

production

Mahdi Shabanimashcool

Associate professor in Rock Mechanics and Mining

UiT – Narvik
 Mining Education in Narvik

• Started since 2013

• 4 graduated in 2014
• 8 is going to graduate 2016
• ---

Projects
• New coal products in corporation with
SNSK, 2013 to 2014
• Smart Mining Technology, 2015 to 2016.
Mining – Supply and Demand
Terminology

Gangue Mineral Processing Concentrate

Block Caving

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb9RPgs7oAQ
Production in surface and underground mines

Hartman & Mutmansky 2006.

Waste to Ore tonnage
Ore and waste production in surface and underground mines, USA.

Hartman & Mutmansky 2006.

Overall stripping ratio for surface mining : 2 to 12
Overall stripping ratio for underground mines: 0 to 0.1
Mining Method selection

Factors to determine mining methods:

• Spatial characteristics of the deposit

• Geologic and hydrologic conditions
• Geotechnical properties
• Economical factors
• Environmental concerns
Mining Method selection

Hartman & Mutmansky 2006.

Mining method selection
Characteristics Open Pit Block Caving
Production rate Large-scale Large-scale
Productivity High High
Capital investment Large Large
Development rate Rapid Slow
Depth capacity Limited Moderate
Selectivity Low Low
Recovery High High
Dilution Moderate Moderate
Flexibility Moderate Low
Stability of openings High Moderate
Environmental risks High High
Water disposal Extensive Moderate
Health and safety Good Good
Mining method selection

Capital and operation costs for open pit and caving mines, Australia
Mining method selection – Deposit condition

Factor Open Pit Block Caving

Ore strength Any Weak to Moderate, Cavable
Rock Strength Any Weak to Moderate, Cavable
Deposit shape Massive, pref. tabular Massive, tabular
Deposit dip Any Fairly steep
Deposit size Large, thick Large, thick
Ore grade Low Low
Ore uniformity Uniform Uniform to fairly uniform
Depth Shallow to moderate Moderate
Block Caving
Block Caving
𝑁 =𝑄×𝐴×𝐵×𝐶
Fragmentation

Primary fragmentation: In situ block size

Secondary:

• Extension of pre-existing discontinuities

• Opening of filled and healed discontinuities
• Opening along bedding or schistocity planes
• Crushing under superimposed weight
• Failure of blocks under arching stress
• Abrasion of block corners
Artificial fragmentation – Shaped charges
Artificial fragmentation – Shaped charges

M. Shabanimashcool 19
Artificial fragmentation – Shaped charges

Use the pressure efficiently

before it vents to atmosphere

Avoid the intensive pulverization

Subsidence
Subsidence
Subsidence control
Conclusions and Recommendations
• Block caving instead of open pit mining
• Waste rock production is eliminated
• Better drilling technique, example from LKAB
• Shaped charge and guided fragmentation
• Pre-fracturing and controlling of subsidence
• Better site investigations and ore modelling technique
• Trying an experimental case

• Big demand for R&D programs

• 70% of solution is technical not political