Introduction

Mining is a dynamic process which requires in excess of thousands of cubic metres of openings to be developed daily over the life of a mining operation. Those openings may be for development and/or production purposes, however all cases must be designed so as to ensure the required behaviour. The site engineer therefore, must design the mine opening or pillars after addressing all issues relevant to the design and assessment of the overall behaviour.

This course is designed to give the operator a design procedure that has been developed in conjunction with academia and practicing operations. This design procedure has been implemented at over twenty underground metal mines around the world. The courses reference numerous authors in the field and apply their findings to arrive at tools for design. The geomechanics design group at the University of British Columbia has been instrumental in developing the design curves presented here along with the direction and sponsorship of CANMET and mining operations throughout Canada.

Design Parameters is the first of two Design for Underground Metal Mines courses by the author. The companion course is Design Guidelines.

Design Parameters provides the necessary background, in terms of input parameters for stress, structure, rock mass characterization, failure criteria and support procedures, for the design principles presented in the companion course.

Design Parameters is structured as three parts:

1. Stress and Structure
2. Rock Mass Characterization and Failure Criteria
3. Support and Monitoring

Content

The course comprises 11 viewing sessions at both summary and text level, plus multiple-choice reviews, and numerous figures, design tables and references. Course duration is equivalent to 12 hours of viewing content.

Learning Outcomes

1. Discuss data collection, implications and applications of the parameters on which the design of mine openings for underground metal mines is based.
2. Discuss the determination of in situ and induced stresses for underground mine openings.
3. Discuss data collection methods for geological structure and the influence of structure on the stability of mine openings.
4. Discuss the RMR and Q systems for rock mass characterization and their application to design of mine openings.
5. Discuss the derivation and application of appropriate failure criteria for design of mine openings.
6. Discuss the application, advantages and disadvantages of the different types of support available for ensuring the stability of mine openings.
7. Apply the knowledge gained to practical investigation, analysis and design of underground mine openings.

Duration: 12 Hours

Category: Geotechnics

Level: Advanced