DESIGN OF SUB LEVEL CAVING METHOD

BY MEANS OF MINE MODEL TESTS

By

DEVINDER KUMAR SARIN

B. Tech. (Hons)., Indian I n s t i t u t e of Technology, Kharagpur, I n d i a , 1962

A THESIS SUBMITTED IN P A R T I A L FULFILMENT OF THE

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF A P P L I E D SCIENCE

in the Department

of

MINERAL ENGINEERING

We a c c e p t t h i s t h e s i s as c o n f o r m i n g t o the

required standard.

THE UNIVERSITY OF B R I T I S H COLUMBIA

A p r i l , 1970.
 I i

In presenting this thesis in p a r t i a l fulfillment of the

requirements for an advanced degree at the University of

British Columbia, I agree that the Library shall make i t

freely available for reference and study. I further agree

that permission for extensive copying of this thesis for

scholarly purposes may be granted by the Head of my Depart-

ment o r by his representatives. It is understood that

copying or publication of this thesis for financial gain

shall not be allowed without my written permission.

DEVINDER K. SARIN.

Department of MINERAL ENGINEERING

The University of British Columbia,

V A N C O U V E R 8, Canada.

DATE: APRIL, 1970.

 ABSTRACT

Design c r i t e r i a of the L o n g i t u d i n a l Sub-Level C a v i n g method o f min-

ing, as i t would p a r t i c u l a r l y apply t o G r a n d u c M i n e s , has been s t u d i e d by

means o f geometrically s c a l e d mine m o d e l s .

Principles of s i m i l a r i t y and t h e i r use i n t h e model t e s t work with

due c o n s i d e r a t i o n to the s i m p l i f y i n g a s s u m p t i o n s have been a n a l y s e d . Gravity

flow theories of granular m a t e r i a l as a p p l i c a b l e t o t h e b i n d e s i g n w o r k have

been u s e d w h e r e p o s s i b l e in the stope design.

A total of thirty-seven tests on a 1:30 s c a l e model w e r e conducted

involving various orebody configurations. Qualitative observations are re-

ported and t h e e f f e c t s that w i l l have t o be d e a l t w i t h by t h e o r e t i c a l treat-

ment a r e d e s c r i b e d . Within reasonable experimental accuracy, the draw

figures of the f l o w o f broken ore m a t e r i a l i n t h e model a r e d e t e r m i n e d . Based

on t h e s e f i g u r e s , mine l a y o u t p a t t e r n s w h i c h w o u l d e n s u r e maximum o r e re-

c o v e r y w i t h minimum w a s t e d i l u t i o n from the stopes h a v e been p r e s e n t e d for

the mine development work.

Quantitative design of 'blast retreat distance 1

d e p e n d i n g on change

in natural conditions of the s t o p e , s u c h as m o i s t u r e c o n t e n t and confining

pressures, etc. h a v e b e e n d e t e r m i n e d by m e a s u r i n g t h e f l o w p r o p e r t i e s of the

ore material with Triaxial compression t e s t i n g equipment. A remarkable

change in the flow properties and h e n c e t h e draw c o n f i g u r a t i o n is predicted.

R e c o m m e n d a t i o n s on f u r t h e r and a d v a n c e d w o r k a r e i n c l u d e d on the

quantitative design of stoping layouts for t h e modern s u b - l e v e l caving

methods.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The w r i t e r wishes to thank Dr. C. L. Emery for guiding his graduate

study p r o g r a m and f o r the a d v i c e received during this investigation.

Grateful appreciation is expressed for the support received from

t h e management o f Granduc O p e r a t i n g Company and t h e s e n i o r engineers for

their encouragement and a l s o h i s colleagues in the e n g i n e e r i n g department of

whose v a l u a b l e c o n t r i b u t i o n s are thankfully acknowledged.

The a u t h o r is grateful to P r o f e s s o r C r o u c h and D r . Bain for their

g u i d a n c e and c o n s t r u c t i v e c r i t i c i s m during t h e d e v e l o p m e n t and preparation

of this thesis.

The o p p o r t u n i t y is taken here, as w e l l , to acknowledge the

essential support received from h i s w i f e , Sheshi, during the p e r i o d of study

and d i s c i p i i n e .

April, 1970

STEWART, B. C.
 V
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 L o c a t i o n and G e o l o g y 1

1 .2 Purpose 1

1 .3 Scope 3

CHAPTER 2 STATE OF THE ART 5

2.1 General 5

2.2 P r i n c i p l e s of gravity f l o w and d e s i g n of

mass-flow bins 9

2.3 P r i n c i p l e s of similitude in the flow of

granular materials 12

CHAPTER 3 THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS 15

3.1 General 15

3.2 Theory o f models 15

3.3 Gravity f l o w and d e t e r m i n a t i o n s o f the

parameters i n sub level caving 19

3.4 Design of mass-flow bins v/s stope d e s i g n . . . . 33

CHAPTER 4 CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THE TESTING

EQUIPMENT 36

4.1 General 37

4.2 Construction 37

4.3 Ore and w a s t e m a t e r i a l 40

4.4 Extraction drifts and l o a d i n g b u c k e t 40

4.5 Operation of t h e model 41

4.6 Triaxial compression t e s t i n g equipment 45

 v i

PAGE

CHAPTER 5 TESTS DESCRIPTION PROCEDURES AND RESULTS 49

5.1 General 49

5.2 D e s c r i p t i o n o f model tests 50

5.3 Test Program 51

5.4 Testing procedure 52

5.5 Test results 56

5.6 D i s c u s s i o n on t h e longitudinal sub level

caving tests 58

5.61 20 ft. orebody width 58

5-62 30 ft. orebody width 61

5.63 40 f t . orebody width 62

5.64 50 ft. orebody width 65

5-7 D i s c u s s i o n on t h e transverse

sub level caving tests 68

5.8 Change in the angle o f siiding - determined by

triaxial compression t e s t i n g equipment 69

CHAPTER 6 CONCLUSIONS 72

CHAPTER 7 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER WORK AND DISCUSSION 74

7.1 Recommendations f o r f u t u r e work 74

7.2 Operational and p r a c t i c a l detail 76

7.3 Comments on t h e q u a n t i t a t i v e design of the stopes 82

 v i i

PAGE

L I S T OF REFERENCES , 84

APPENDIX I

Theory of models 89

APPENDIX II

Tables 1 and IA - Results 96

APPENDIX til

Tables 2, 3 and 4 104

APPENDIX IV

Table 5 ~ Design data f o r the recommended l a y o u t s 108

APPENDIX V

Pictures of longitudinal sub level c a v i n g model tests 122

APPENDIX VI

Details on G e o l o g y 131
 NOMENCLATURE vi i i

<^ - Ring gradient

a^ " Semi-major axis of the e l l i p s o i d of motion

A - Area of the opening

A w - Width of si ice

bft - Semi-minor axis of the e l l i p s o i d of motion

b.r.d. - Blast retreat distance

B - Width o f the e x t r a c t i o n drift

C - S i z e of the e x t r a c t i o n area

d - Average s i z e of particles

dj - Digging depth of the scoop

ds - Spherical diameter of particles

D - Diameter of largest lumps in b l a s t e d ore

Dh - Hydraulic or perimetral diameter =

k x A / perimeter of orifice

ejvj - Eccentricity of the e l l i p s o i d o f motion

Efg - Volume o f the e l l i p s o i d of motion

F.W. - Foot wal1

T - Unit weight of granular material

g - A c c e l e r a t i o n of gravity

h - Height of extraction drift

h' - Height of the g r a v i t y flow

h^ - Height of the e l l i p s o i d of motion

H - Head o f p a c k i n g above opening

H.W. - Hang i ngwa11

K - Properties of the lumpty material

Volume o f discharge

A significant distance

Any pertinent distance

Length scale

Ore recovery = % ore recovered to ore blasted

Width of pillar between drifts

Angle of internal friction

Blast retreat distance (single or m u l t i p l e ring burden)

True d e n s i t y of solids

Bulk density of packing

Sub level interval (or 'S')

Swel1 factor

(Volume o f solids + volume o f voids) . Volume o f sol

Natural angle of repose

Normal stress on t h e failure plane

Horizontal stress on t h e v e r t i c a l surface of sliding

Vertical stress

Angle of side slopes

(Angle of i n c l i n a t i o n of the hopper bottom)

Shear s t r e s s on f a i l u r e plane

Total extraction =

% of rock loaded to ore b l a s t e d (100%)

Velocity of discharge from opening

Draw volume

Volume o f container
Volume o f discharged material

Average vertical pressure

S p e c i f i c weight of t h e m a t e r i a l o r dead weight

(Dimensionally, FL~3)

Waste d i 1 u t i o n =

% of waste loaded to t o t a l rock loaded (100%)

Depth b e l o w the surface

 xi
L I S T OF FIGURES
FIGURE: PAGE

1. Gravity flow of granular material 8

2. T r a n s v e r s e sub level caving 20

3. Longitudinal sub level caving 21

k. Failure in c o h e s i o n l e s s granular material

p r e c e d e d by a r c h i n g 30

5. Standard transverse sub level caving layout 3k

6A. M i n e Model assembled f o r transverse sub level caving 37

6B. M i n e Model a s s e m b l e d f o r longitudinal sub level caving 38, 39

7. Blast plates; wooden blasting block,

extraction drift and b u c k e t kl

8. Triaxial t e s t i n g equipment k~J

9- C a l c u l a t i o n procedure for ore recovery,

total extraction and w a s t e d i l u t i o n 57

10. Angle of s l i d i n g with varying moisture content determined

by triaxial test 70

11. Comparison of ore recoveries v/s total extractions 6k

12. Longitudinal sub level caving -

possible p o s i t i o n i n g of easer holes 80

13. Longitudinal sub level caving - vee shaped long hole fans 81

]k. Longitudinal sub level caving - shows sequence o f draw

with single drift on e a c h s u c c e s s i v e sub level 123 to 127

15. Longitudinal sub level caving - shows sequence of draw

with two e x t r a c t i o n drifts on a s u b level 128 to 130

 xi i

L I S T OF TABLES

TABLE: PAGE

1. Longitudinal Sub L e v e l Caving 97 to 102

IA. T r a n s v e r s e Sub L e v e l Caving.. 103

2. "Results of Triaxial Compression Tests 105

3. Sieve analysis of samples used

in the T r i a x i a l Tests 106

k. Ore m a t e r i a l used i n t h e model 107

5. Summary - Design data for

the recommended l a y o u t s 109

6. Test No. 33; L o a d i n g Sequence 121

7. T e s t No. 32; Loading Sequence 121

 CHAPTER 1 1
*

INTRODUCTION

1. 1 L o c a t i o n and Geology:

The G r a n d u c M i n e is near the British Columbia - Alaska boundry in

rugged mountainous country, about 36 m i l e s N o r t h w e s t of Stewart, B.C.

Access to t h e mine f r o m S t e w a r t i s made by means o f a 32 m i l e road

to Tide L a k e Camp, f r o m w h e r e an 11 1/4 mile long tunnel connects with the

mine. The Concentrator is located at Tide L a k e Camp and t h e townsite is

s i t u a t e d at Stewart.

Forty-three m i l l i o n tons of o r e , averaging 1.73% copper before dilu-

tion, are reported t o have been i n d i c a t e d by d i a m o n d d r i l l i n g (1966) . The

deposit i s c l a s s i f i e d as M e s o t h e r m a l R e p l a c e m e n t . The o r e b o d i e s occur in

f o l d e d and f a u l t e d s i l i c e o u s m e t a s e d i m e n t s c u t by f e l d s p a r porphyry dikes.

Mineralization consists e s s e n t i a l l y of pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, pyrite and

sphalerite."

1 .2 Purpose:

This thesis is concerned with the design of the Longitudinal Sub-

Level caving method, p a r t i c u l a r l y with respect to the Granduc M i n e s . Sub-

level caving, with t r a c k l e s s equipment, has b e e n c h o s e n as t h e m i n i n g m e t h o d .

The p r i n c i p l e s for d e t e r m i n i n g t h e b e s t method f o r m i n i n g the Granduc ore-

bodies h a v e b e e n b a s e d on h i g h productivity (7,500 tons/day) and low cost,

together with the a c c e p t a b l e premise of good m i n i n g p r a c t i c e s , w h i c h include

the d e s i r a b i l i t y of maximum r e c o v e r y and minimum d i l u t i o n .

In the transverse as w e l l as in the longitudinal sub-level caving,

the ore is l o n g h o l e b l a s t e d , whereas the waste is caved. Test d r i f t s driven

* See A p p e n d i x VI for detailed geology.

 2.

into the hanging w a l l , which is mainly i n t h e s e d i m e n t s , shows a m a r k e d d e -

gree of cross-fracturing which renders it easily f r a g m e n t a b l e and liable to

cave. Furthermore, there occurs a major fault within ten to twenty feet

away f r o m t h e h a n g i n g w a l l contact. In the worst case, i n d u c e d c a v i n g may

be required.

The w i d e r portions of the orebody, w h i c h a r e d e f i n e d h e r e as any-

where between f i f t y and o n e h u n d r e d and t w e n t y feet, are planned t o be m i n e d

by t h e t r a n s v e r s e sub-level c a v i n g method (Footwall to Hanging w a l l retreat).

This has b e e n p r i m a r i l y on t h e recommendations o f the c o n s u l t a n t s as w e l l as

on some f i e l d e x p e r i e n c e obtained elsewhere i n Canada and a b r o a d . The wings

of the o r e b o d i e s a r e narrow and v a r y in widths from f i f t e e n to f i f t y feet on

the whole; approximately more t h a n 50% o f the total mineable tonnages are

t i e d up in these narrow w i d t h s , which c a l l f o r m i n i n g methods o t h e r than the

transverse sub-level caving. Therefore, it became i m p e r a t i v e f o r Granduc

Mines to conduct a study p r o g r a m t o d e t e r m i n e t h e b e s t method o f m i n i n g of

these areas. Longitudinal sub-level c a v i n g method (retreat a l o n g the strike)

is c o n s i d e r e d most s u i t a b l e in t h i s case. The p r i n c i p a l reason being that

t h e same e q u i p m e n t and t h e b a s i c d e v e l o p m e n t w o r k as i s needed f o r the min-

ing of adjacent transverse sub-level s t o p e s c o u l d be u s e d . Preliminary :

planning of t h e s e a r e a s has b e e n done b u t n o t w i t h much e x a c t i t u d e , since

this field is relatively unexplored. Further r e s e a r c h w o r k was n e e d e d to

establish t h e optimum l a y o u t s , hence t h i s study was taken up. The impor-

tance of these tests, locally performed, is further e m p h a s i z e d by the fact

they serve as a c o n s t a n t source of reference for m i n e p l a n n i n g and layout

work. A l s o the presence at the mine o f permanent records of pictures,

slides and o t h e r visual aids developed during the course of testing, are

useful for the t r a i n i n g of the mine p e r s o n n e l from time to time.

 3.

1.3 Scope:

A 1:30 s c a l e m i n e model was c o n s t r u c t e d at t h e p r o p e r t y and tests

w e r e c o n d u c t e d on a c a r e f u l l y d r a w n up t e s t program. Optimum l a y o u t of the

production drifts/draw p o i n t s on p r o p e r sub-level interval d e p e n d s on the

study of the "cave figures" or the " e l l i p s o i d of motion" of the broken rock

in the s t o p e s . Therefore, actual ore from the mine crushed to s i z e for the

model w o r k was u s e d t o d e t e r m i n e t h e s e f i g u r e s . The t e s t i n g was d i v i d e d in-

t o two a r e a s o f study:

(a.) The first series of t e s t s were c a r r i e d out to check the

figures w h i c h have a l r e a d y been u s e d f o r the p l a n n i n g work of

the t r a n s v e r s e sub-level c a v i n g methods f o r the wider ore-

bodies. This has a s p e c i a l importance, for a comparison of

t h e model w o r k c o u l d be made w i t h the a c t u a l performances as

some o p e r a t i o n a l experience is o b t a i n e d at a l a t e r date.

(b.) The s e c o n d s e r i e s o f t e s t s w e r e p e r f o r m e d on t h e longitudinal

sub-level caving method. With the help of the Geological

Department, a t a b l e was p r e p a r e d w h i c h showed t h e w i d t h s of

the o r e b o d i e s , w i t h their a s s o c i a t e d footwal1 a n g l e s and ton-

nages. This helped in programing the t e s t work in order of

importance of these a r e a s . Tests r e p r e s e n t i n g orebody widths

of 20', 30', **0', and 50' a t v a r i o u s f o o t w a l 1 a n g l e s and with

change i n p a r a m e t e r s s u c h as s u b - l e v e l interval, location of

extraction drifts and f o o t w a l 1 slash, e t c . , were c a r r i e d out

i n deta i1.
 Many p r e l i m i n a r y t e s t s were needed b e f o r e a s a t i s f a c t o r y testing pro

c e d u r e c o u l d be d e v e l o p e d . A d i s c u s s i o n on some o f the problems encountered

has b e e n included in Chapters 3 and 5.

Additional t e s t i n g was done t o d e t e r m i n e the change in flow proper-

ties of the b r o k e n o r e o v e r a range of moisture contents by u s i n g a Triaxial

Compression t e s t i n g equipment. The results are included i n C h a p t e r 5-

Proposed mine l a y o u t s b a s e d on t h e t e s t w o r k a r e p r e s e n t e d in Appen-

dix IV, and s u g g e s t i o n s on f u r t h e r and a d v a n c e d w o r k a r e included in Chapter

7-
 5.
CHAPTER 2

S T A T E OF THE ART

2.1 General :

Sub-level caving in various patterns of b l a s t i n g and extracting was

the earliest caving method used i n mines w i t h weak and incompetent ground

conditions; in s p i t e of a high dilution and relatively low recovery, i t was

regarded as the only practical method available. With mechanized develop-

ment and long-hole drilling equipment, improved b l a s t i n g techniques and the

advent of trackless extraction units, this method is being i n c r e a s i n g l y con-

sidered and applied in base metal and ferrous mines with large, thick and

competent orebodies. This is because i t can be readily mechanized, i t is

safe, standardization of equipment presents fewer problems, selectivity in

variable-grade orebodies i s p o s s i b l e and a large proportion of the develop-

ment is in ore. These factors a l l contribute to keeping costs down and the

method i s now often preferred to block caving or large sub-level stoping.

Due to the inherent characteristic of sub-level caving, in that the

thin column of ore drawn w i t h each fan blast i s bounded by the solid wall of

the next fan on one side and the caved waste on a l l the other sides, the

problems of recovery and dilution are as great as i n any other method. Dur-

ing the last ten years or so a considerable amount o f research has been

carried out i n many c o u n t r i e s , both in the form of scale-model t e s t s and of

studies conducted under natural conditions. This research has shown that by

introducing improved layouts based on the draw characteristics and employing

modern mining techniques, a good recovery in conjunction with a dilution com-

parable to that obtained with a carefully controlled block cave method is

possible. I t has been indicated,however, e s p e c i a l l y in base metal ores,

that a strict p o s i t i v e draw control is e s s e n t i a l to the success of the

 6.

method. The term 'positive' in t h i s context means o b t a i n i n g a c o m p r e h e n s i v e

draw g r a d e and e x t r a c t i o n tons record to stop t h e draw a t the d e s i r e d point

and a l s o to gain reliable r e c o v e r y and d i l u t i o n figures in each drawpoint.

2.11 Theory of Sub-Level Cave Draw:

So f a r as is known, the b u l k of research into the s u b - l e v e l caving

m i n i n g method has been c a r r i e d o u t i n Sweden a n d , in p a r t i c u l a r , by the Royal

I n s t i t u t e of Technology, Stockholm. J a n e l i d and K v a p i l ' s (^7) p a p e r on the

principles and t h e o r y o f sub-level caving is probably t h e most authoritative

to date.

Model experiments and u n d e r g r o u n d studies a r e known t o h a v e been

c a r r i e d out i n A u s t r a l i a a t Mount Isa M i n e s , i n Zambia a t M u f u l i r a Copper

Mines, i n Sweden a t K i r u n a and M a l m b e r g e t M i n e s , a n d i n Canada a t Craigmont

M i n e s and F r o o d S t o b i e Mine.

It is not p o s s i b l e here t o expound all the c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s involved

in s u b - l e v e l c a v i n g draw, but those that have a major i n f l u e n c e on t h e method

of draw c o n t r o l , and t h e r e f o r e , on t h e u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f it, are described.

2.12 Shape o f Draw:

Basically, it h a s been f o u n d that the g r a v i t y flow of blasted or

caved rock, under pressure, obeys t h e same l a w s and is approximately similar

to the flow of granular material in a bunker. Broken rock e n t e r i n g a draw-

point flows from a zone in the shape o f an e l l i p s o i d . The a c t u a l ground

drawn f l o w s f r o m what J a n e l i d calls the ' e l l i p s o i d of m o t i o n ' . T h i s , in turn,

disturbes a larger zone, c a l l e d the ' l i m i t e l l i p s o i d , which

1
is approximately

fifteen times the s i z e of the e l l i p s o i d of motion (see Fig. 1A). If the

material b e i n g drawn c o n s i s t e d o f laminations of different colours, and could

be v i e w e d through a glass plate, t h e draw w o u l d a p p e a r t o be i n t h e f o r m o f

a cone w i t h the apex at the drawpoint and t h e s i d e s slightly concave (see

Fig. IB).

In Fig. IE. this e l l i p s o i d of motion i s m a r k e d E^. Distinction can

be made b e t w e e n its semi-major axis a ^ and its semi-minor axis b^.

The v o l u m e o f the e l l i p s o i d of m o t i o n E^ approximately corresponds

to that of the d i s c h a r g e d m a t e r i a l (Fig. ID) and t o the volume o f the dis-

charge cone (Fig. IC). Therefore, the r e l a t i o n s h i p between t h e s e can thus

be d e s c r i b e d by:

EN OO K N ^ VN 2 (.1)
If t h e v o l u m e V^ a n d t h e h e i g h t of the e l l i p s o i d of motion a r e known,

the s e m i - m i n o r a x i s of Fig. IE c a n be c a l c u l a t e d f r o m t h e formula:

N / N
b V

2 (2)
2.094 h N

The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f the shape of the e l l i p s o i d of motion are

d e t e r m i n e d by its eccentricity e^

where

2 2
eN ( a N - b N ) 2 (3)

The t e r m s a ^ and b^ in e q u a t i o n 2 (3) correspond to those of

Fig. IE.
 8.

FIG. IA GROUND UNDER FIG. IB RELATIONSHIP

PRESSURE IS DRAWN BETWEEN VISIBLE DRAW
FROM A ZONE IN THE CONE AND ELLIPSOID OF
FORM OF AN ELONGATED MOTION AND LIMIT
ELLIPSOID,TERMED THE ELLIPSOID. MATERIAL
ELLIPSOID OF MOTION'. DRAWN FROM B IS
THIS DISTURBS THE REPLACED BY MATERIAL
GROUND IN A LARGER GRAVITATING FROM AREAS
ZONE, TERMED THE LIMIT A AND C. FROM JANELID
ELLIPSOID, FROM JANELID AND KVAPIL.
KVAPIL

Limit ellipsoid Limit ellipsoid

Ellipsoid of motion
Ellipsoid of motion
Draw cone

FIG. IC FIG. ID FIG. IE

FORM OF ELLIPSOID OF MOTION AS A FUNCTION OF ELLIPSOID OF MOTION CUT

PARTICLE SIZE OFF BY THE BUNKR WALL

FIG.I. GRAVITY FLOW OF GRANULAR MATERIAL

 9.

The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of the shape o f the e l l i p s o i d o f motion, i.e.,

its eccentricity, are not constant, but d e p e n d v e r y much on t h e p a r t i c l e size

of the m a t e r i a l . S m a l l e r p a r t i c l e s of material correspond to a slimmer ellip-

soid of m o t i o n and t o a g r e a t e r eccentricity. Larger particles extend the

ellipsoid in width and its eccentricity becomes less. This is shown sche-

matically in Figs. 1 (F, G, H).

For t h e same m a t e r i a l , t h e e c c e n t r i c i t y d e p e n d s on a number o f fac-

tors s u c h as the s i z e of the d i s c h a r g e o p e n i n g (enlargement of the discharge

opening increases the e c c e n t r i c i t y ) , the height of the e l l i p s o i d of motion

(a g r e a t e r height increases the e c c e n t r i c i t y ) , the v e l o c i t y of discharge (a

faster rate of discharge increases the e c c e n t r i c i t y ) , etc.

The laws in connection with gravity flow of granular material do not

undergo any b a s i c c h a n g e s , e v e n when t h e g r a v i t y flow is prevented for var-

ious reasons from d e v e l o p i n g fully and s y m m e t r i c a l l y to the v e r t i c a l axis.

Such c a s e s a r i s e , for- example, if the d i s c h a r g e opening lies not in the centre

of the bunker bottom, but in the s i d e w a l l (see Fig. li).

The foregoing principles h a v e been u s e d by J a n e l i d and K v a p i l and

others in determining the parameters of particularly the Transverse Sub-

Level Caving method.

2.2 P r i n c i p l e s of Gravity F l o w and D e s i g n o f Mass-Flow Bins:

Principles of gravity f l o w h a v e been a p p l i e d in the quantitative

design of the bins for some t i m e now. Many r e f e r e n c e s on t h e s u b j e c t were

reviewed w i t h the intent of studying applications in stope design. Some o f

these are mentioned here.

Since the c l a s s i c a l work o f Janssen (44), Ketchum (43) and

J a m i e s o n on t h e g r a v i t y flow of grains in e l e v a t o r s and b u l k s o l i d s in bins,

 10.
several writers have d i s c u s s e d t h i s problem. For example - Kvapil (13, 14),

Bernache ( 1 5 ) , M r o z and D r e s c h e r (16), Roberts (17), Peschl (19), Aytaman

(22, 23, 24), Handley and P e r r y (31), Jenike 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 36, 37, 38),

Johnson (7, 8, 9), Walker (10, 11) and o t h e r s . At the present time, there

a r e on r e c o r d , more t h a n 200 selected references on t h e s u b j e c t of Flow of

Granular Materi als .

However, by far t h e most important contributions to the study of the

application of the p r i n c i p l e s of gravity flow in the d e s i g n o f bins, has been

made by J e n i k e , Johnson and W a l k e r . Therefore, without going i n t o any detail

of the works of all the w r i t e r s at this s t a g e , works of only the last three

authors m e n t i o n e d above have been d i s c u s s e d here.

The development of a mathematical theory of gravity flow of such

solids as O r e s , Concentrates, C o a l and C h e m i c a l s , e t c . , by J e n i k e (37), is

b a s e d on t h e c o n c e p t s o f Soil M e c h a n i c s and P l a s t i c i t y . W h i l e the concepts

of this t h e o r y were f o r m u l a t e d by h i m i n 1953, most o f t h e w o r k was carried

out at the b u l k s o l i d s Flow L a b o r a t o r y (1957 - 1962), of the Utah Engineering

Experiment S t a t i o n , University of Utah.

Jenike (3), has s t a t e d t h a t o n c e f l o w p r o p e r t i e s of solids have been

m e a s u r e d and a r e k n o w n , then the c r i t i c a l dimensions of the hopper w a l l s can

be d e t e r m i n e d . It is well known now, from the works of various authors, that

flow properties of solids vary, for instance, due t o c h a n g e s in moisture con-

tent, size distribution, shape, bulk d e n s i t y , angle of internal friction and

temperature, etc., The c o n d i t i o n s of lowest flowability have t o be u s e d in the

c a l c u l a t i o n of critical dimensions.

A direct-shear, constant rate of s t r a i n m a c h i n e i s e m p l o y e d as a

measuring unit. Specimens o f the tested s o l i d are f i r s t consolidated within

 ] 1.

the shear cell and t h e n s h e a r e d t o o b t a i n a r e l a t i o n between the consolidat-

ing pressure and t h e resultant strength of the s o l i d . This gives the prin-

ciple flow properties of the bulk s o l i d s , namely, the f l o w - f u n c t i o n . The

tester a l s o measures the angle of friction between a s o l i d and samples of

wall m a t e r i a l s as w e l l as o t h e r properties used in the design of flow. Flow-

ability tests c a n be c a r r i e d o u t for a range of moisture content, to deter-

m i n e t h e maximum m o i s t u r e f o r w h i c h a s o l i d can s t i l l be h a n d l e d by gravity.

Walker's (10, 11) w o r k was s t i m u l a t e d by t h e d i f f i c u l t i e s experi-

e n c e d by C e n t r a l Electricity Generating Board, B r i s t o l , England, in getting

wet fine coal to f l o w through the b u n k e r s , hoppers and c h u t e s , etc. Most of

h i s w o r k was c a r r i e d o u t between the p e r i o d 1961 through 1967. The approach

adopted to o b t a i n the design data for bunker flow is b a s i c a l l y similar to

t h a t a d o p t e d by J e n i k e . However, Walker (11), has s i m p l i f i e d t h e calculation

to d e r i v e the approximate s t r e s s e s that would occur w i t h i n a g r a n u l a r material

flowing in a bunker and has c l a i m e d t h a t his use o f the ring shear tester

(12), compared t o the d i r e c t shear tester of Jenike, has p r o v e d more agree-

ment b e t w e e n t h e t h e o r y and t h e p r a c t i c a l design.

In e i t h e r c a s e , model tests h a v e been c a r r i e d o u t on h o p p e r s de-

s i g n e d by J e n i k e ' s and W a l k e r ' s m e t h o d . Material is t e s t e d and a container

is built that ensures the m a s s - f l o w .

It w o u l d be u s e f u l to d e f i n e h e r e , two types of flow patterns; mass-

f l o w and f u n n e l flow or plug flow. In m a s s - f l o w b i n s , all the s o l i d is in

motion whenever any o f it i s drawn o u t . In a f u n n e l - f l o w bin, flow occurs

within some c h a n n e l surrounded by n o n - f l o w i n g (dead) solid. In a m a s s - f l o w

bin, in which the flow channel coincides with the bin itself and, hence, is

d e f i n e d and c o n s t a n t , bin loadings are a l s o well d e f i n e d and reproducible.

 12.

In a f u n n e l - f l o w , it forms w i t h i n the s o l i d itself. The c h a n n e l may e x p a n d

or contract as t h e f l o w properties of solids change w i t h varying moisture

content and f r a g m e n t a t i o n , e t c . As a r e s u l t , loading in f u n n e l - f l o w bins is

more e r r a t i c and less reproducible than in m a s s - f l o w b i n s . In a d d i t i o n to

the m a s s - f l o w b i n s and f u n n e l - f l o w bins, Jenike (3) has d e s c r i b e d another

type, i.e., expanded-flow b i n s , where use i s made o f a short mass-flow hopper

unit under a f u n n e l - f l o w bin. The m a s s - f l o w h o p p e r serves to expand the size

of the f l o w - c h a n n e l to a dimension which e l i m i n a t e s the p o s s i b i l i t y of rat

holing. It c a n be a d d e d h e r e that the design of T r a n s v e r s e Sub L e v e l Caving

or Longitudinal Sub L e v e l Caving f o r wide o r e - b o d i e s , c a n make a s p e c i a l case

of a series of m a s s - f l o w hoppers under a f u n n e l - f l o w bin.

Handley's (31), experimental results for sand in the converging

sections of 65 and 70 hoppers, has shown s i m i l a r i t y to the results predic-

t e d by t h e more r i g o r o u s stress s o l u t i o n of Jenike, Johnson and W a l k e r . Cal-

culated pressures of t h e same o r d e r of m a g n i t u d e , were o b t a i n e d as actually

measured. The close s i m i l a r i t y only a p p l i e s very near the hopper o u t l e t and

the importance of pressures in t h i s region is emphasized in o r d e r to find

whether mass-flow w i l l be f u l l y developed. A small pressure sensitive radio

pill was u s e d f o r the measurement o f internal stresses during flow.

It is c l e a r that the c o n d i t i o n s in a s u b - l e v e l caving stope, are

different from that of a bin and, therefore, the a p p l i c a t i o n o f the prin-

c i p l e s ' of quantitative design of bins t o be u s e d f o r stope d e s i g n have only

a 1imi t e d a p p l i c a t i o n .

2.3 P r i n c i p l e s of Similitude in the Flow o f Grandular Materials:

Another t o p i c of particular interest to t h i s project, is the prin-

ciples of s i m i l i t u d e so t h a t the behaviour of a prototype may be correctly

 13.

predicted from the o b s e r v a t i o n s on a m o d e l . For this t o be a c h i e v e d , it is

necessary t o a s s e s s not o n l y the p h y s i c a l quantities that are relevant to the

problem, but a l s o to use judgement to reduce them t o a w o r k i n g minimum by

selecting t h e most s i g n i f i c a n t parameters.

Applications of dimensional analysis t o model testing, have been

described by v a r i o u s authors, but o n l y the important ones are mentioned here.

Roscoe (25), has shown the use o f dimensional analysis for model

testing in s o i l mechanics to a c e r t a i n degree. Fowler (28), in h i s paper,

"The Flow o f Granular Solids Through O r i f i c e s " , has d e r i v e d the prediction

equations of the weight discharged per unit time, for granular materials

through o r i f i c e s . He has e m p h a s i z e d t h e importance of the use o f bulk den-

sity over the true density of materials and, also the shape f a c t o r of the

particles considered in h i s analysis.

Matthee (26), studied the segregation phenomenon relating to bunker-

ing of bulk materials with the h e l p of geometrically r e d u c e d model b i n s and

has d i s c u s s e d t h e s c a l e up o f these results. To r e d u c e t h e number o f experi-

ments,he introduced d i m e n s i o n l e s s g r o u p s and included variables like grain

size, grain size distribution, particle shape, particle density, flowability,

angle of repose, resistance to a g g l o m e r a t i o n , surface characteristics, the

s h a p e and d i a m e t e r o f b u n k e r and i t s orifice, the h e i g h t of material in the

bin, wall friction, t h e method o f f e e d i n g and d i s c h a r g i n g and o t h e r s . He re-

ports that, for a solution of the problem of segregation, all the variables

that influence segregation and t h e e q u a t i o n s of motion of particles, need to

be k n o w n . Such a s o l u t i o n is not yet possible.

In "The Behaviour of Granular Materials in Flow-out of Hoppers" by

Reisner (27), are listed the f a c t o r s influencing the e f f l u x as u s e d in the

 14.

formulae of various authors. They a r e , for instance, diameter of the bin,

diameter of the o u t l e t , grain size, reduced area o f e f f l u x , height of the

surface of the s t o r e d m a t e r i a l in the b i n , area o f e f f l u x , cohesive forces,

hydraulic radius, acceleration of gravity, bulk density of the stored mater-

ial, internal friction, angle of i n c l i n a t i o n of the hopper bottom, specific

weight, shape f a c t o r , true flow factor and s p e c i f i c p r e s s u r e on t h e b o t t o m of

the b i n . It is noted that no s i n g l e a u t h o r has c o n s i d e r e d more t h a n a h a n d -

ful of v a r i a b l e s and a c o m p r e h e n s i v e a p p r o a c h is lacking in the literatures,

therefore, it can be c o n c l u d e d t h a t there i s no f o r m u l a s o f a r , which c a n be

used w i t h o u t any restriction for all types of b i n s and a l l kinds of bulk

materials.
 '5-

CHAPTER 3

THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS

3.1 Genera 1:

A d i s c u s s i o n on t h e d e s i g n o f sub-level caving stopes, from the

model tests, must inevitably include the a s p e c t s o f the theory of model test-

ing, the a p p l i c a t i o n s of the g r a v i t y flow p r i n c i p l e s to the granular mater-

ials and t h e i r arching phenomenon, etc.

3 2 Theory of Models:

An a t t e m p t has been made t o a p p l y the theory of m o d e l s , to get an

i n d i c a t i o n of the relationship of the v a r i a b l e s taking part in the phenome-

non so t h a t the o b s e r v a t i o n s made on t h e m i n e model may be u s e d t o predict

the performance of the p r o t o t y p e , i.e., the s t o p e . The p e r t i n e n t variables

considered in this analysis, along with the s i m p l i f y i n g a s s u m p t i o n s , are

1i s t e d i n Append i x I .

Equation (5) o f Appendix I is rewritten in the d i m e n s i o n a l form a s :

_L p ( ' * ' w J
1 ' H ' ______ Vc , dd_ , 0 , e
l3 \ ] ]2 j />s v 2
1 1 /s l3 1

A s i m i l a r e q u a t i o n may be w r i t t e n for the model:

Vrn = p. / Aim , Am , Dhm , Wm. Im , dm , Hm ,

l3 m V lm 1m2
lm /sm V m 2
1m 1m

Am
~n
/'sm
, Vcm
o
Pm
, ddm

lm
, 0
m
e
0
S i n c e each e q u a t i o n refers t o t h e same t y p e o f system, the functions

are identical in form.

 16.

Now t h e " L e n g t h S c a l e " i s d e f i n e d as t h e ratio of some p e r t i n e n t distance or

length of the p r o t o t y p e of the c o r r e s p o n d i n g distance i n t h e model and is

d e s i g n a t e d as n , or

1 = nl m

in the case o f t h e model used in t h i s analysis, n = 30. From t h e a b o v e , the

design conditions for t h e model may be d e t e r m i n e d a s follows:

~T~ =
~T or Vm = 3 (la)
Pm P n- 3

In o t h e r w o r d s , volume i n t h e b u c k e t drawn f r o m t h e model is 1

(30) 3

times volume o f the a c t u a l bucket used in the mine.

Similarly, the o t h e r design conditions are derived:

Aim = Ai ; or Aim = Ai 3 (lb)

l m l n

Am = A ; or Am = A 3 (lc)
,2 l 2
n 2

Dhm _ _Dh_ ; or Dhm = _Dh 3 (id)

Im 1 n

wm. Im _ w. 1. ; or w m _ n . w . /s . v^m 3 (le)

/sm v2
m />s.v 2

dm d , d /, ,-\
Tm =
T ; or dm = - 3 (if)

Hm H ,. H _ /, v
7 = ; or Hm - 3 ( g)
lm -
T
1 ' n 3

/bm Ph p, /b./sm , ....

-TT = x ; or / bm = '- 3 ( h)
/->sm ps />s '

Vcm Vc Vc ., _ /. . v
= = =- ; or m = Vc 3 (li)
l
m
m
3
P 3
r\J
 17.

ddm dd ,, dd
^ = ; or ddm = 3 (lj)

0 m = 0 3 (lk)

e m = e 3 (li)

Design E q u a t i o n 3 ( l b ) - S i n c e A refers to e v e r y d i m e n s i o n , t h i s equation

imposes the c o n d i t i o n o f g e o m e t r i c a l s i m i l a r i t y i n a l l r e s p e c t s between model

and p r o t o t y p e . Both as to form o f the m o d e l , c r o s s sections at a l l points,

and l o a d i n g p a t t e r n . Hence, the model was designed a c c o r d i n g to this.

Design Equations 3 ( l c ) , 3 ( i d ) , 3 ( I f ) , 3 Og), 3 ( l i ) , and 3 ( l j )

i n d i c a t e t h a t the d e s i g n c o n d i t i o n s r e g a r d i n g the area o f o p e n i n g , h y d r a u l i c

diameter o f the o p e n i n g , s i z e o f the p a r t i c l e , head o f p a c k i n g above o p e n i n g ,

volume o f c o n t a i n e r and the d i g g i n g depth o f the scoop g i v e complete freedom

in the s e l e c t i o n o f the length s c a l e between the model and the prototype.

Design E q u a t i o n 3 (11) - i s s a t i s f i e d because the same s l o p e angles

near the opening have been used as t h a t i n the mine.

Design E q u a t i o n 3 ( l k ) - i s s a t i s f i e d because a c t u a l o r e from the

mine i s used in the model. The crushed rock f o r the model ( s i z e s down to

1/4") g e n e r a l l y resembled in shape, the broken rock underground. No e f f e c t

o f m o i s t u r e has been c o n s i d e r e d i n the analysis.

Design E q u a t i o n 3 ( l e ) - Here Psm / s

2

Therefore, w m = n.w. ^
V
j - 3 (2)

From Fowler ( 2 8 ) , approximate v e l o c i t y o f d i s c h a r g e v from the o r i f i c e is

g i v e n by:
/ nh \ 3

v = 0.185
2g D n x / ^ j cms/sec - 3 (3)
 18.
Therefore, from equations 3 (2) and 3 (3)

0.185
Dh
0.236 x J 2 g m Dh^ m
w = n.w. ds
- 3 (4)
m

m
0.185
1.236 x J 2g Dh" x/ h D

ds

Since the v a l u e of 'g' is t h e same f o r t h e model and t h e prototype there,

fore, by s o l v i n g Equation 3 W , we o b t a i n :

wm n .w. n

or:

w,m w.

Therefore, Equation 3 (le) is satisfied within practical limits since

Equation 3 (3) a l l o w s the p r e d i c t i o n o f flow rates through o r i f i c e s w i t h an

overall accuracy of + 10 p e r c e n t .

Design Equation 3 (lh) - indicates that corrections a r e needed to

be a p p l i e d t o t h e draw v o l u m e s - /^s m - f^ >

s
but the e x a c t nature of/^b

is not yet known. To a p p l y corrections or to determine the e x t e n t of distor-

tion in the results of ore r e c o v e r y and t o t a l extraction obtained from the

model tests, it is imperative to f i n d the s w e l l factor, thereby the b u l k den-

sity (/^b), of the broken column of ore in the s t o p e . These measurements

a r e not p o s s i b l e at this stage u n t i l a working stope i s - a v a i l a b l e for such

tests.

In c o n c l u s i o n it c a n be s a i d t h a t , due t o d i f f i c u l t i e s in s i m u l a t i n g

consolidation effect of blasting i n t h e s t o p e and t h e d e n s i t y difference be-

tween t h e m i n e o r e and t h e model o r e due t o n e g l i g i b l e expansion of the

blasted ore in the m i n e , right conditions a r e not represented in the model.

It is c l e a r , however, that tests with crushed ore give qualitative results

which a r e not necessarily higher or better than c o r r e s p o n d i n g results from

the mine. So i t |s j u s t i f i e d to c a r r y out this type of testing.

33 Gravity F l o w and D e t e r m i n a t i o n o f the Parameters in Sub-Level Caving:

The gravity flow of material in s u b - l e v e l caving corresponds in prin-

ciple to the case of Figure 1 (l) because the g r a v i t y flow in the sub-level

caving is, figuratively speaking, cut-off by the w a l l of the slice.

Typical sections in t h e Case o f Transverse and L o n g i t u d i n a l Sub-Level

C a v i n g method a r e shown in F i g u r e 2 and F i g u r e 3, respectively.

The sub-level c a v i n g method is characterized by a g r a v i t y flow of

lumpy m a t e r i a l because both the b l a s t e d ore and t h e w a s t e may c o n t a i n large

lumps o f o v e r 16 i n c h e s o r so.

To o p t i m i s e the p r o d u c t i o n of c l e a n o r e and m i n i m i z e contamination

by w a s t e as w e l l as o r e losses, it is necessary to determine the optimum;

parameters of the s l i c e . This is mainly a matter of determining the sub-

level interval S, the b l a s t retreat distance Rj , the w i d t h of s l i c e Z^, the

ring gradient c\ , the width B and h e i g h t h, of the e x t r a c t i o n drifts and the

width P of the p i l l a r s between drifts.

The p r e c i s e optimum v a l u e s of the parameters o f sub-level caving,

including all detailed effective factors, can o n l y be f o u n d on t h e b a s i s of

the tests under natural conditions. However, Janelid's basic formulae

(Equation 2 (2) and E q u a t i o n 2 (3) g i v e approximate figures for the para-

meters of sub-level c a v i n g w h i c h c a n be a p p l i e d in p l a n n i n g the m i n i n g system.

The a b o v e a r e d i r e c t l y applicable in the d e s i g n of Transverse sub-

level c a v i n g where t h e draw f i g u r e s are symmetrical s o l i d geometrical shapes

 ~1

0 tr 19

90- V

FIG. 2 A DIAGRAMMATIC V E R T I C A L SECTION FIG. 2 B DIAGRAMMATIC VIEW OF T H E SLICE WALL IN T H E P L A N E OF T H E

THROUGH LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SECTION l - l O F FIG. 2 A
EXTRACTION DRIFT

FIG. 2 TRANSVERSE SUB L E V E L CAVING

O
FIG. 3A DIAGRAMMATIC VERTICAL SECTION THROUGH FIG. 3B DIAGRAMMATIC VIEW OF T H E S L I C E WALL IN T H E
LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF E X T R A C T I O N DRIFT. PLANE OF T H E SECTION J-J OF FIG. 3A

FIG. 3 LONGITUDINAL SUB LEVEL CAVING

 22.

but in the case of Longitudinal Sub-Level Caving draw f i g u r e s a r e not sym-

m e t r i c because of the almost p a r a l l e l , inclined footwall and h a n g i n g w a l l of

the s t o p e . Therefore, draw f i g u r e s a r e t o be d e t e r m i n e d f o r each different

conf i gurat i o n .

Considerations given to the design of p a r a m e t e r s s u c h as fragmentation,

drift width, drift height, flow throat, the digging depth of the scoop and

the ring gradient, etc. c a n be common t o T r a n s v e r s e a s w e l l as Longitudinal

Sub-Level Caving method, but the d e s i g n c r i t e r i a for the s u b - l e v e l interval,

p i l l a r width, blast retreat distance, l o a d i n g p a t t e r n and location of drift,

etc. are d i f f e r e n t for each method.

Generally, M o d e l t e s t i n g was g u i d e d from the f o l l o w i n g considerations:

3.31 Sub-Level Interval:

The sub-level interval c a n be e x p r e s s e d by a s y m b o l i c f u n c t i o n o f the

effective factors such as:

S = f (K, h' c, v, R ,
d x, m, B, P, % ) 3 (5)

Where K = Properties of the lumpy m a t e r i a l w h i c h c a n be e x p r e s s e d in simpli-

fied for as t h e p a r t i c l e size

h = Height of the g r a v i t y flow.

c = s i z e of the e x t r a c t i o n area.

v = velocity of discharge from the opening.

The o t h e r legends are t h e same a s in Figure 2 and F i g u r e 3-

The a p p r o x i m a t e s u b - l e v e l interval in the case of Transverse sub-level

caving i s c a l c u l a t e d from the formula:

 2
3-

Where R j i s the blast retreat distance ( w h i c h can be a ring burden or a

multiple of ring burdens).

The r e s t r a i n t on the sub-level interval of either 30' or 60' for the

model t e s t w o r k was imposed, in order for i t to be compatible with 30' sub-

level intervals already accepted for the transverse sub-level caving of the

1
C o r e b o d y between the elevation of 3690' t o a b o u t 2900', so t h a t a c c e s s to

all the orebodies can be made w i t h the same d e v e l o p m e n t a l w o r k f r o m t h e ramp

system. T h e r e can be a possibility that with no such restraints as above,

the optimum s u b - l e v e l interval might e x i s t between the figures of 30' and 60 .1

Sub-level interval of 601

and h i g h e r , h o w e v e r , have t o meet o t h e r add-

itional technical and economical requirements.

3-32 Digging depth of the Scooptram:

Janelid (47) has applied R a n k i n e ' s t h e o r y on the d i s t r i b u t i o n of the

trajectories of the maximum p r i n c i p a l stresses and calculated the optimum

p e n e t r a t i o n of the scooptram into the slope. The t r a j e c t o r i e s of the prin-

cipal stresses in the slope ( F i g u r e 3a) are inclined against vertical by

30 -ty*, where y i s the natural angle of repose. The theoretical best

2
depth x i s g i v e n by the points 1 and 2 i n the above figure.

In c o n f o r m i t y w i t h legends of F i g u r e 2, theoretical best depth is

calculated from the formula:

x ^ h .cot^ - h. tan ^90 - f ^ 3 (7)

taking f' = 50 for Granduc o r e . x = 5-16 ft.

The digging depth a p p l i e d in p r a c t i c e should reach the theoretical figure.

In the model t e s t s , a d i g g i n g depth of approx. 2 in. (2 i n . x 30 = 5 Ft.)

was used.
 2h.

3 .33 Drift Width:

W h i l e p l a n n i n g t h e minimum w i d t h o f the d r i f t , fragmentation of the

r o c k has b e e n c o n s i d e r e d and u s e d in the f o l l o w i n g formula from J a n e l i d ( 4 7 ) .

3 (8)

Where D i s the diameter of the largest lumps o f t h e b l a s t e d o r e and k i s the

factor of composition of the fragmented rock ( u s e d Nomograph f r o m Janelid

(k7) P. 144.)
For the c a l c u l a t i o n of k, used D - 1 6 " and assumed t h a t fragmented

rock c o n s t i t u t e d of lumps up t o 16" k0%, medium s i z e up t o 20%, s m a l l size

up t o k0%. If percentage of fines and damp c o n s t i t u e n t s s u c h as p o w d e r , etc.

is almost n i l , then B c a l c u l a t e s out t o be e q u a l to 12.0 f t . and i f fines are

c o n s i d e r e d up t o 5%, t h e n B ^ 15-5 ft.

16 f t . wide e x t r a c t i o n drifts h a v e been u s e d f o r the p l a n n i n g of

Transverse sub-level caving stopes, for equal l o a d i n g from the s i d e s w i t h an

8 ft. wide scooptram. The minimum s i z e o f the d r i f t used in the narrow and

steep longitudinal stopes tests is 12 f t . x 12 f t . This conforms to the re-

quirement of proper gravity f l o w and a l s o p e r m i t s the use o f production drill

jumbos w i t h i n this dimension.

3.34 Location of Drift:

Theoretically, ideal layout for the t r a n s v e r s e sub-level stopes is

when w i d t h o f drift = width of pillar.

This ensures nearly parallel gravity flow. However, due t o practical

difficulties, the best arrangement is to p r o v i d e for side slopes.

 25.
In the case of longitudinal stopes, although it has been indicated

before elsewhere that generally the o r e losses along t h e F.W. c a n be re-

d u c e d by locating the d r i f t in the F.W., but it is clear that in order to

l o c a t e the d r i f t s most f a v o u r a b l y , a study m u s t be made f o r this mine, con-

sidering all factors fully s u c h as t h e p e r f o r m a n c e o f the p r o d u c t i o n drilling

equipment, marginal values of the ore content in the F.W. at a particular lo-

cation, and t h e rock s t a b i l i t y problems. This last point is particularly

i m p o r t a n t when e x t r a wide drifts are needed, e s p e c i a l l y in the case of very

flat dipping ore bodies to s u i t ring drilling.

3-35 Loading Pattern or I n t e n s i t y of Loading:

The e x t r a c t i o n width is given by the o p e r a t i n g reach of the scooptram

and by the loading system. The g r a v i t y f l o w a p p r o a c h e s more c l o s e l y a paral-

lel form (and this is ideal in the case of Tr. Sub-level caving) if the oper-

ating reach of the loader is wider and t h e loading system covers the w i d t h of

the e x t r a c t i o n drift more f u l l y - undesirable arching of the lumpy m a t e r i a l

is e a s i l y avoided this way.

When m i n i n g t h r o u g h longitudinal drifts in narrow deposits it is

appropriate t o draw more b r o k e n o r e from the footwall side than from the

hanging w a l l side. Loading at the f o o t w a l l side s h o u l d be increased, the

smaller is the i n c l i n a t i o n of the deposit.

3.36 Ring Gradient:

Research i n Sweden has indicated that the optimum r i n g gradient or

the fan a n g l e , within the angle l i m i t s of 60 - 120, is m a i n l y dependent on

the r a t i o of average ore sizes to waste sizes. Janelid and K v a p i l (47) pro-

duced a s i m p l e t a b l e which is reproduced, in a s l i g h t l y modified form, below:

 26.
Ratio of Rock S i z e s : Fan A n g l e , a

Ko/Kw > 1 Positive, a <90

Ko/Kw = 1 Vertical, a = 90

KQ/KW < 1 Negative, a > 90

Where KQ i s the average particle size of the o r e , is the average particle

s i z e of t h e w a s t e and is the angle between the h o r i z o n t a l and t h e fan,

away from the d i r e c t i o n of retreat (see Fig. 2 & 3)

The theory is that the ring gradient ol, i s t o have the e f f e c t of pre-

venting as much as p o s s i b l e , the intermixing of waste o r , inversely, the in-

termixing of ore into waste.

A m a t e r i a l of fine particle size c a n , as a r e s u l t of the gravitation-

al force, fill the lower lying cavities and gaps in the m a t e r i a l of coarse

particle size, i.e., f i n e ore lying over lumpy w a s t e o r vice versa. The ring

gradient is so c h o s e n s u c h t h a t the optimum c o n d i t i o n s are obtained in this

respect.

The ring gradient is, however, a l s o dependent on m i n i n g considera-

tions s u c h as m a i n t a i n i n g a good brow and a good d r i l l e d footage

efficiency. Probably because of these c o n s i d e r a t i o n s , very few, if any,

mines have a d o p t e d a backward s l o p i n g ring gradient or the fan angle and

most h a v e a d o p t e d a n g l e s varying f r o m 7 0 t o 9 0 , d e p e n d i n g on t h e s e condi-

tions .

For the purposes of model test work, fragmentation of ore and waste

w e r e a s s u m e d t o be e q u a l and h e n c e o n l y vertical fans h a v e been t e s t e d . This

w o u l d need m o d i f i c a t i o n s , h o w e v e r , if in a c t u a l practice it is found that

Ko
 27.

3-37 Blast Retreat Distance:

From a t h e o r e t i c a l point of view, the b l a s t retreat distance R,

A will

be g o v e r n e d by many f a c t o r s . In p r i n c i p l e , it c a n be e x p r e s s e d by a symbolic

function of the f o l l o w i n g factors, where some o f t h e s e may be interdependent.

R d = f (K, h' c, v, S, x, m, B, c\ ) 3 (9)

Where the first four factors are t h e same as u s e d in Equation 3 (5) a n d the

remaining factors as shown in Figures 2 and 3-

The proper blast retreat distance should, in the optimum c a s e , cor-

respond to the g r a v i t y flow of the b l a s t e d ore i n t h e way shown in F i g u r e s 2a

and 3 a . The o p t i m u m b l a s t retreat distance (See Fig. 2 3) f o r a vertical

slice in a transverse sub-level s t o p e c a n be c a l c u l a t e d f r o m t h e approximate

formula.

R d > S J (1 - e 2
) 3 (10)

Substitute value of e = 0.975, for a sub-level interval 'S 1

of 30 ft. from

Janelid (47, F i g . 2 9 , PP 142) i n Equation 3 (10).

Therefore: R d > 30 J~\ - (.975) 2

> 6.60 ft.

Blast retreat distances of 5, 6 and 7 f t . are tested i n t h e model for the

transverse sub-level caving method.

No f o r m u l a is available for the c a l c u l a t i o n of blast retreat dis-

tance in the case of longitudinal sub-level c a v i n g method b e c a u s e o f unsym-

metrical draw. Therefore, sectional diagrams for each c o n f i g u r a t i o n are

drawn, and b a s e d on e s t i m a t e d b e s t recoveries with least dilution; optimum

blast retreat distances are developed.

After all other parameters h a v e been c h o s e n , such as s u b - l e v e l inter-

val, p i l l a r width, height and w i d t h of extraction drift and r i n g burden, etc.

and the mine d e v e l o p m e n t a l work is started and k e p t a h e a d o f production date

 28.

for a year or two. Blast retreat distance is, then, by f a r t h e most impor-

t a n t v a r i a b l e w h i c h may g i v e any c h a n c e o f flexibility in t h i s method.

A change in b l a s t retreat d i s t a n c e c a n occur by v a r i a t i o n in moisture

content. This is a matter of concern for Granduc Mines because of small cover

of waste rock above t h e t o p most l e v e l . When t h e c a v e s t a r t s , it w i l l pro-

bably cover a large catchment area of a t e r r a i n which is covered with snow,

almost eight months in a y e a r . Any h o t air leaking through the cave might

accentuate this problem, unless some a l t e r n a t i v e means o f w a t e r diversion are

devised. Also, varying fragmentation (due to the nature of ground, etc.) and

consolidation ( c a u s e d by b i g g e r o r smaller explosive charges and/or by a var-

iable thickness of the o v e r - l y i n g mat o f w a s t e rock) hold d i f f e r e n t amounts

of moisture content. This type of study is useful from the p o i n t of view of

d e t e r m i n i n g an o p t i m u m b l a s t retreat distance.

T h e r e a r e two a l t e r n a t i v e s w h i c h c a n be c o n s i d e r e d from a p r a c t i c a l

standpoint.

1. In the case of ring d r i l l e d s u b - l e v e l s which w i l l be k e p t in readi-

ness before actual production, generally with a uniform ring burden

throughout, the s u b - l e v e l may h a v e to use a b l a s t retreat distance

which is an e x a c t m u l t i p l e o f the ring burden in order t o be most

profitable in p a r t i c u l a r l y changed situation.

2. To s t u d y the v a r i a t i o n i n t h e depth o f the e l l i p s o i d o r cave figure

beforehand with respectHo particular rock type t o be e n c o u n t e r e d in

the mine ( r o c k may b r e a k b e t w e e n the limits of very f i n e to coarse)

and a l s o e x p e c t e d w e t n e s s in the area - so t h a t r i n g burdens may be

varied and d e s i g n e d a c c o r d i n g to the s p e c i f i c c o n d i t i o n s for dif-

ferent portions of t h e same s u b - l e v e l .

 29.

If the first alternative i s more p r a c t i c a l and a c c e p t a b l e , then there

i s a need o f developing some f l o w c o r r e c t i v e measures to cause the rock flow

to conform w i t h the nearest s i n g l e o r m u l t i p l e r i n g burden - d e f i n e d as blast

retreat distance.

Principles of arching in the ideal soils have been u t i l i z e d in order

t o know t h e c h a n g e in the depth o f the e l l i p s o i d of motion behind the solid

face.

From T e r z a g h i (kO), arching i s one o f t h e most u n i v e r s a l phenomenon

encountered in s o i l s both in the f i e l d and i n t h e laboratory. If one p a r t of

the support of a mass o f soil yields while the remainder stays in p l a c e , the

soil adjoining the y i e l d i n g part moves o u t of its original position between

adjacent stationary masses o f soil. The r e l a t i v e movement w i t h i n the soil

i s o p p o s e d by a s h e a r i n g resistance within the zone o f contact between the

yielding and t h e s t a t i o n e r y masses. S i n c e the s h e a r i n g resistance tends to

keep the y i e l d i n g mass i n its original position, it reduces the pressure on

the y i e l d i n g part of the support and increases t h e p r e s s u r e on t h e adjoining

stationary parts i n commonly c a l l e d 'arching effect 1

and t h e s o i l is said to

arch over the y e i l d i n g part of the support.

Referring to F i g u r e h the l o c a l y i e l d of the h o r i z o n t a l support of a

bed o f granular material c a n be p r o d u c e d by g r a d u a l l y lowering a strip-shaped

section a.b. of the s u p p o r t . According to the radial shear s t r e s s theory, as

s o o n as t h e s t r i p has y i e l d e d sufficiently i n a downward direction, a shear

f a i l u r e occurs along two s u r f a c e s o f s l i d i n g which rise from the outer

boundries of the s t r i p to the s u r f a c e of the g r a n u l a r material. In the

vicinity of the s u r f a c e , all t h e g r a i n s move v e r t i c a l l y downward. This has

b e e n d e m o n s t r a t e d by t i m e e x p o s u r e photographs, Terzaghi (hO).

 30.

FIGURE 4. FAILURE IN COHESIONLESS GRANULAR MATERIAL PRECEDED

BY ARCHING. (A) FAILURE CAUSED BY DOWNWARD MOVEMENT
OF A LONG NARROW SECTION OF THE BASE OF A LAYER
OF GRANULAR MATERIAL. (B) ENLARGED DETAIL OF
DIAGRAM (A).
 31.

S u c h a movement is c o n c e i v a b l e only if the surfaces of sliding in-

tersect the h o r i z o n t a l surface of material at right angles. Hence, the sur-

faces of s l i d i n g have a shape s i m i l a r to that indicated in Figure k by the

lines a.c. and b ' . d . The e q u a t i o n s for the s u r f a c e s of s l i d i n g a.c. and b.d.

have not yet been s o l v e d . However, the experiments have s u g g e s t e d that the

average slope angle of these surfaces decreases from almost 90 f o r low

values of Z/2b t o v a l u e s approaching {h5 + 0 12) f o r high values o f Z/2h-

In the case o f sub-level caving stopes, a high value of Z/2b exists

near the draw p o i n t considering a fairly t h i c k mat o f w a s t e rock overlying

the b l a s t e d column of ore. Therefore, study of the v a r i a t i o n in the angle

(45 + 0 12) o r t n e
angle of siiding in t h e b r o k e n mass n e a r the opening and

the eventual development of the curved s l i d i n g s u r f a c e is very important in

determining t h e most s u i t a b l e blast retreat distance.

Angle of internal friction, '0' u s e d in the e x p r e s s i o n for angle of

sliding [k5 + 0 /2) ' s a

function of void ratio, moisture content, angu-

larity, particle size and c o n f i n i n g pressures, etc.

According to 'Mohr - Coulomb Failure Law'.

T* = C + 0 - tan 0 3 (1 D
Where <r i s the normal stress on the failure plane at failure and T* i s the

shear stress on t h e failure plane at failure, C stands for Cohesion and is

equal to zero f o r Cohesionless m a t e r i a l s and 0 i s a n g l e o f internal friction

Values of 0 in the p r e c e d i n g equation c a n be d e t e r m i n e d by means of

laboratory tests.

In o r d e r to c a l c u l a t e the s t a t e of stress located immediately above

the y i e l d i n g strip - Terzaghi has a s s u m e d t h e s u r f a c e s of s l i d i n g are to be

vertical as i n d i c a t e d by the lines a'.e. and b ' . f . ( F i g u r e h.). T h i s way the

 32.

problem of computing the v e r t i c a l pressure on t h e y i e l d i n g strip becomes

identical with the problem of computing the v e r t i c a l pressure on t h e yield-

ing bottom of the p r i s m a t i c b i n s . The following formula is used to determine

the v e r t i c a l stress on a h o r i z o n t a l section a t any d e p t h Z below the

surface for a Cohesionless material.

3 (12)

Where K = R a t i o between the h o r i z o n t a l and t h e v e r t i c a l pressure - Taken

as unity immediately above the y i e l d i n g strip,

b = Half width of the s t r i p (See Figure 5)

0 = Angle of shearing resistance.

Y = Unit weight of the g r a n u l a r material.

Considering a unit width of the y i e l d i n g strip and by s u b s t i t u t i n g K = 1,

b = 8, 0 = 4 2 , T = 100 I b s . / c u . ft.

For Z = 6 0 '
= 887-9 lbs./sq.ft. or 6.15 P.S.I.

For Z = 160'
= 887-9 lbs./sq. ft. or 6.15 P.S.I.

Corresponding normal stress (crh) on t h e v e r t i c a l s u r f a c e of s l i d i n g c a n be

computed from:

OZ. - K. o - v 3 (13)
The a b o v e a n a l y s i s is a p p l i c a b l e to the flow i n an o p e n m a s s , b u t considering

the p a r t i c u l a r case of a sub-level caving stope with side slopes - formulas

derived for Convergent hoppers with surcharge (See W a l k e r (10) ) f o r mass-

f l o w a r e more relevant in c a l c u l a t i n g the nature of stresses close to the

outlet in stopes.
 33.

The a v e r a g e v e r t i c a l pressure V is given by t h e f o l l o w i n g formula:

V = r h c

1
0 "(fe) c
- ' ) + v
(fe) c 3 ( ,
*>

Substitute the following in Equation 3 (14)

T = 100 lbs./cu.ft.

C = 3.13

( t a k e n as the n e a r e s t approximation from Walker (10) Table 2;

P . 9 9 4 ; f o r c_, = 15, 0 = 40 a n d S = 50)

and f r o m F i g u r e 5

h c = 41 feet

h Q = 60 feet

V Q = 100 x 100 l b s . / s q . ft. as t h e surcharge

v = loo x 4i (\
(\ -- Ai
Ai \\ 2.13)
2.13) +
+ 10,000
10,000 Ai
Al "\"\ 3-13
2.13

28.5 P.S.I

A range o f confining pressures derived from Equations 3 (12) and 3

(14) which represent the pressure at the o u t l e t s of different stope layouts

coupled with a range o f moisture content tried with varying sieve sizes of

the m a t e r i a l used were t e s t e d by means o f T r i a x i a l t e s t i n g machine in the

laboratory at U.B.C. Details of tests c o n d u c t e d and t h e i r results are pre-

sented in Chapters 4 and 5

3.4 Design of M a s s - F l o w B i n s v/s Stope Design:

In o r d e r to assess the s u b - l e v e l caving s t o p e s on t h e b a s i s o f mass-

f l o w b i n and f u n n e l - f l o w bin condition, the f o l l o w i n g analysis shows that a

variety of situations can d e v e l o p . For example:-

A. Transverse sub-level stopes: c a n h a v e m a s s - f l o w c o n d i t i o n on three

 34.

PRESENT EXTRACTION DRIFT-H

FIGURE 5. STANDARD T R A N S V E R S E SUB L E V E L CAVING LAYOUT.

 35.

s i d e s and p l u g - f l o w c o n d i t i o n on o n e s i d e (back-end) up t o t h e end o f the

side slopes t o t h e n e x t sub level a b o v e and b e y o n d that height it has plug-

f l o w c o n d i t i o n on t h r e e s i d e s and m a s s - f l o w c o n d i t i o n on one side.

B. Longitudinal Sub L e v e l Stopes: Mass-Flow PIug-Flow

1. Narrow & steeply* dipping stopes

can have = 3 sides 1 side

2. Narrow gently dipping stopes

can have = 2 sides 2 sides

3. Wide o r e b o d i e s , steeply dipping stopes

(2 E x t r a c t i o n drifts on same l e v e l ) = 2 sides 2 sides

h. Wide o r e bodies, gently dipping stopes

(2 E x t r a c t i o n drifts on same l e v e l ) = 1 side 3 sides

F.W. drift

or

2 sides 2 sides

H.W. drift

NOTE:

* Steeply d i p p i n g w o u l d mean: dip of 7 5 and above.

From t h e a b o v e it appears that a stope design w i l l present many

more v a r i a b l e s as compared t o the b i n d e s i g n a n d , t h e r e f o r e , Jenike and

Walker theories of gravity f l o w as a p p l i e d f o r mass f l o w in hoppers and bins

need a c o n s i d e r a b l e improvement b e f o r e their a p p l i c a t i o n c a n be e x t e n d e d to

the g r a v i t y flow of blasted rock in the stopes.

 36.
CHAPTER 4.

CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THE TESTING EQUIPMENT.

4. 1 General:

The model and a l l accessories for it have been c o n s t r u c t e d to the

s c a l e of 1:30. Preliminary t e s t s w e r e made o n 1:60 s c a l e , but this scale

was f o u n d t o be t o o s m a l l to permit the drawing of sectional diagrams and

allow proper s t u d y on the d i g g i n g pattern. One t e s t was made w i t h 1:20

s c a l e model and i t was f o u n d much e a s i e r to work w i t h , as t h e c h a n c e s of

disturbance and d e v i a t i o n s are reduced.

4.2 Construct ion:

The model was made i n t h e s h a p e o f a box, 3 ft. high x 4 f t . wide

x 18 in. deep. (see Figure 6) It was made o u t of 2" x 4" lumber, with two

vertical sides, moveable inside t h e box to a l l o w d i f f e r e n t positions of the

sub d r i f t s , etc. The b a c k w a l l was c o v e r e d with 1/2 in. plywood, while the

front wall was c o v e r e d w i t h 1/4" plexiglass. The frame c o n s t r u c t i o n was re-

inforced with 1/2" round bars, which strengthened the model. The plexiglass

f r o n t was s u p p o r t e d on t h e o u t s i d e by h o r i z o n t a l irons to prevent bulging,

etc. A provision was made f o r two s i d e frames f o r the model, which permitted

the e x t e n s i o n of t h e model upwards as w e l l as s i d e w a y s , when d e s i r e d . .Upward

extension i s needed w h i l e doing m u l t i p l e level tests and s i d e e x t e n s i o n is

required for testing flat dipping longitudinal stopes. T h i s was a c h i e v e d by

placing an a d d i t i o n a l plexiglass p l a t e on t o p o f the first one. This feature

of building t h e model in p o r t i o n s provided ease of l o a d i n g and u n l o a d i n g the

model. The model b o x was p l a c e d on two low h o r s e s , so t h a t scooping from its

lowest part c o u l d be done comfortably.

 FRONT VIEW SIDE VIEW

FIGURE 6 A . MINE M O D E L A S S E M B L E D FOR T R A N S V E R S E SUB L E V E L CAVING.

 FRONT VIEW SIDE VIEW

FIGURE 6B l i l MINE M O D E L A S S E M B L E D FOR LONGITUDINAL SUB L E V E L CAVING.

V_v>
CO
FIGURE" 6B (iii)
 ko.

k.3 Ore a n d W a s t e M a t e r i a l :

It was a s s u m e d t h a t t h e maximum s i z e o f the ore from the production

blasting s h o u l d n o t e x c e e d 20 i n . and t h e a v e r a g e size in the range t o 12 i n .

- 16 i n . It is known, however, that c o a r s e f r a g m e n t a t i o n makes t h e recovery

worse. A v e r a g e g r a d e o r e was b r o u g h t f r o m t h e m i n e and c r u s h e d in a small

laboratory crusher. Choke f e e d into t h e c r u s h e r was a v o i d e d , since that

p r o d u c e d more a n g u l a r o r e particles. With normal feed, the shape o f the

crushed rock down t o a minimum s i z e o f ]/k i n . , had a p p r o x i m a t e l y t h e same

s h a p e as t h a t o f the broken o r e observed i n some o f the experimental drifts

in the mine. Crushed r o c k was s c r e e n e d and t h e n m i x e d in a p r o p o r t i o n to

have f r a g m e n t a t i o n d i s t r i b u t i o n s i m i l a r t o w h a t was e x p e c t e d in the actual

operation. The s c r e e n a n a l y s i s o f the o r e m a t e r i a l used in each t e s t is in-

cluded in Table k, of Appendix III. Approximately 5,000 lbs. of crushed ore

material was p r e p a r e d . The o r e was t h e n p l a c e d in the bins beside the model.

Although n o t much i s known y e t about the f r a g m e n t a t i o n o f the caved

hangingwall, it i s a s s u m e d , f o r model testing, that s i z e of waste is to be

t h e same as t h a t of the ore m a t e r i a l p a r t i c l e s and a l s o , the g r a v i t y flow

characteristics t o be n e a r l y t h e same as t h a t o f the o r e . No o r e and w a s t e

tests have been p e r f o r m e d t o d e t e r m i n e t h e o r e r e c o v e r y and w a s t e dilution

estimates for reasons d e t a i l e d i n S e c t i o n 5-4. However, for the purposes of

demonstrational tests and f o r the loading intensity tests, etc., white dolo-

mite crushed to t h e same s i z e as t h a t o f o r e was u s e d in the model.

k.k Extraction Drifts and L o a d i n g B u c k e t , Etc.:

The e x t r a c t i o n drifts w e r e made o u t o f 1/6" g a l v a n i z e d plates,

s c a l e d down t h i r t y times. The l o a d i n g b u c k e t was made o f 1/16" s t e e l plate

 41.

and its design is exact s c a l e d down c o p y o f the scooptram ST-4A. Its volume

is (30)3 = 27000 t i m e s l e s s t h a n t h e s c o o p t r a m b u c k e t and i t s d i g g i n g char-

acteristics are approximately the same. The b u c k e t was p u s h e d into t h e muck

pile, then turned around its pivot points by p r e s s i n g down t h e d i g g i n g handle

with the thumb a t t h e same t i m e t h e b u c k e t was raised. One t e s t was arranged

at 1:20 scale. For this purpose, a new s e t o f extraction drifts and scoop-

t r a m b u c k e t was m a d e . The model box was t h e same a s t h a t of 1:30 scale tests.

Blast plates, used f o r separating the ore and w a s t e c o l u m s during

loading of t h e model w e r e made o u t of 1/16" sheet plate, (see Figure 7)

4.5 Operation of the M o d e l :

The model t e s t s were c a r r i e d out in a f u t u r e mill laboratory area

of the dimensions approx. 40 f t . x 20 f t . This p l a c e was a v a i l a b l e entirely

for model testing. It was q u i t e convenient here to accommodate benches,

tables, screens and t o o l s , etc., t o do any fittings and c a r p e n t r y work, etc.

Alterations to t h e model o f some s o r t w e r e required almost a f t e r every test

for the s t a r t of a new configuration.

Determinations of the cave f i g u r e or t h e draw f i g u r e s have been

c a r r i e d out with t h e model a r r a n g e d as d e s c r i b e d a b o v e . A drift opening is

cut out at the bottom of the front plexiglass panel. A wooden block, with

t h e same s h a p e as the drift hole, is pushed into the hole t h e same d i s t a n c e

as the d e s i r e d blast retreat distance. This b l o c k was c u t w i t h an incline

in the f r o n t s o as a n a t u r a l angle of repose of the rock in t h e model could

be d e v e l o p e d . The side slopes, in the case of transverse sub level caving

test, were p l a c e d on e a c h s i d e o f the d r i f t . S l o p e s were s i m u l a t e d by ply-

wood b o x e s w i t h desired slope angle. For longitudinal sub level testing, the
FIGURE 7B WOODEN BLASTING BLOCK , EXTRACTION DRIFT, AND BUCKET
 43.

t h e H.W. and F.W. panels were f i x e d a t t h e d e s i r e d a n g l e and a d j u s t e d along

the base o f t h e model s o as t o a d j u s t for the proper location of the drift

with respect to the f o o t w a l 1 . Whenever F.W. s l a s h was n e e d e d t o be studied,

a f a l s e f l o o r was b u i l t on t h e t o p o f the F.W. panel so as a r e c e s s could be

cut into it. See F i g u r e 15 i n A p p e n d i x V.

The model was loaded w i t h t h e o r e m a t e r i a l by s p r e a d i n g 2 i n .

layers a t a t i m e and t h e n p l a c i n g m a r k e d s t o n e s on a s p e c i a l three dimen-

sional pattern at each interface. Each s u c h i n t e r f a c e had a g r i d of 2 in. x

2 in. (5 ft. x 5ft., full scale). A total of 4,200 red c o l o u r e d marked s t o n e s

were required for the purpose. This s y s t e m had its origin at the bottom of

t h e model a n d 12 i n . to the l e f t of the d r i f t . The o r i g i n was moved s o m e -

times for flatly dipping longitudinal tests and t h i s f a c t was n o t e d on the

particular test. The p r o c e s s o f l o a d i n g was repeated in t h i s manner, and

layer after l a y e r was p l a c e d u n t i l t h e model was l o a d e d h i g h enough to pro-

vide a capping of about 20 i n c h e s , (50 f t . , full scale) above the highest

expected cave f i g u r e contour understudy. The b l a s t i n g was s i m u l a t e d by pull-

ing at t h e wooden b l o c k , w h e r e a f t e r , the l o a d i n g could s t a r t . Five buckets

w e r e drawn a t a t i m e and m a r k e d s t o n e s w e r e p i c k e d a s t h e y a p p e a r e d in the

tunnel. These s t o n e s were then p l o t t e d on s e c t i o n a l diagrams c o v e r i n g the

entire depth of t h e model a t 2 i n . intervals (5 f t . , full scale). Plotting

was n o t d o n e o n t h e b a s i s o f cummulative weights because it is erroneous.

Therefore, all p l o t s were made on t h e b a s i s o f volumes drawn o u t o f the

broken mass. With the a p p l i c a t i o n of appropriate swell factors, these plots

were m o d i f i e d . This point is e x p l a i n e d further under S e c t i o n 5.4.

After the r e q u i s i t e amount o f scoops h a v e b e e n drawn f r o m the

model, i t was u n l o a d e d and a l l the marked stones were recovered for reuse.
 kk.

O r e m a t e r i a l was p r o p e r l y mixed a g a i n , if required, and a s w e l l factor test

was made on t h e m a t e r i a l b e f o r e the next t e s t was performed.

S i d e s l o p e s made up o f plywood boxes for testing transverse sub

level stopes and a l s o t h e F.W. and H.W. p a n e l s meant t o e x p e r i m e n t longitu-

dinal stopes, b o t h were c o v e r e d w i t h sand paper to get t h e same f r i c t i o n co-

efficient as f o r the o r e . Tests performed by S w e d i s h e x p e r i m e n t e r s have

shown that the f r i c t i o n coefficients for r o c k on r o c k and r o c k on s a n d paper

are almost equal to 0.7-

4.51 Tests With Vibrated Column o f Ore:

A few c h e c k t e s t s w e r e made by v i b r a t i n g the column of o r e by means

of a small hand v i b r a t o r as d e t a i l e d in S e c t i o n 5.k. The loading of the

model was a c h i e v e d by pushing a wooden block with t h e same s h a p e as t h e drift

hole into the h o l e t h e same d i s t a n c e as t h e d e s i r e d blast retreat distance.

A blast p l a t e , which had t h e same s h a p e a s t h e b l a s t , was p u t above the end

of the d r i f t block. O r e was f i l l e d to j u s t above the b l o c k and, of course,

behind the b l a s t plate. The o r e between the b l a s t plate and t h e plexiglass

was v i b r a t e d in v e r t i c a l sections of 2 inches. Ore m a t e r i a l was p l a c e d be-

h i n d and in f r o n t of the b l a s t plate to keep it in b a l a n c e as the loading

continued. When t h e o r e had been v i b r a t e d up t o the level of the b l a s t plate

then the b l a s t p l a t e was p u l l e d o u t . From t h e r e on, t h e model was loaded

normally in 2 i n . layers and m a r k e d s t o n e s w e r e p l a c e d on g r i d intersections

until a capping of at least 20 i n c h e s was a c h i e v e d . Thereafter, the pro-

cedure detailed under S e c t i o n k.5 was r e p e a t e d and s e c t i o n a l diagrams were

drawn.
 45.

4.52 Ore and W a s t e Tests:

Ore and w a s t e t e s t s were performed for the d e m o n s t r a t i o n a l purpose

only. In a few t e s t s , a 2 i n c h w a s t e band o f white d o l o m i t e was p l a c e d on

the top o f the contours of the d e s i r e d shape o f the b l a s t . As the scoops

w e r e drawn from the bottom d r i f t , the flow of this band was v i e w e d from the

front plexiglass panel to determine the proper loading sequence, i.e., either

from the F.W. or H.W. s i d e of the drift. Photos o f the sequence of events

were c o n t i n u o u s l y taken. Two s e t s o f these p i c t u r e s a r e shown in Appendix

V. Figure 14 shows a longitudinal stope with a single drift on two levels

for a 30' orebody a t 65 F.W. a n g l e and F i g u r e 15 shows longitudinal stope

with two e x t r a c t i o n drifts on t h e same l e v e l for a 50 ft. wide orebody at

55 F.W. angle. The c u m m u l a t i v e number o f scoops drawn e i t h e r from the F.W.

or H.W. side of the d r i f t a r e shown on t h e s i g n placed in f r o n t of the

mode 1 .

4.6 Triaxial Compression T e s t i n g Equipment:

These t e s t s were performed to study the flowability of ore samples

obtained from one p a r t i c u l a r place in the mine.

A number o f t e s t i n g machines are a v a i l a b l e in the s o i l testing

techniques. For e x a m p l e , d i r e c t shear tester, ring shear tester and Tri-

axial shear tester, etc. A triaxial testing m a c h i n e was u s e d f o r the above

tests, mainly because o f its availability at the U . B . C . laboratories for the

s i z e of the sample t e s t e d . (A m i x t u r e o f fines to 1/2" crushed rock.)

A cell for 4-in. diameter s a m p l e s was u s e d as t h e t e s t i n g equipment.

For compacted s a m p l e s , this cell permits t h e use o f standard compacting

equipment. However, a vibrator was u s e d to c o n s o l i d a t e the s a m p l e . Samples

 46.

up t o a maximum g r a i n s i z e of 3/4 i n c h may be t e s t e d , although satisfactory

test s p e c i m e n s a r e more r e a d i l y obtained if the limit is placed at the 3/8

inch s i e v e size, B i s h o p and H e n k e l ( 4 1 ) . The h e i g h t of the test specimen

u s e d was 8 inches.

Figure 8 shows the p i c t u r e s of the test s p e c i m e n and t h e testing

equipment.

It c a n be a r g u e d that triaxial testing equipment u s e d as a b o v e may

have the following limitations.

1. Required degree of c o m p a c t i o n and u n i f o r m i t y may n o t be obtained

every time a t e s t is repeated.

2. A new s a m p l e h a s t o be f o r m e d e a c h t i m e . This factor is important

because a large number o f tests have t o be p e r f o r m e d for complete

data. (In the case of W a l k e r ' s Ring Shear T e s t e r , any o n e sample

may be u s e d f o r a range o f confining pressures, etc.)

3. Errors c a u s e d due t o the use o f rubber membrane a r o u n d the sample.

(Up t o 0.6 P.S.I.)

4. Appropriate corrections need t o be a p p l i e d due t o the weight of the

sample itself - especially because of the low p r e s s u r e s existing

near the o u t l e t of the s t o p e s . This aspect has been n o t e d to be

particularly important in J e n i k e ' s analysis, in which c a s e , tall and

narrow mass-flow bins with small outlet openings have p r e s s u r e s in

the range o f 1 P.S.I. near the o u t l e t and t h i s i s one o f the main

reasons of his use o f a low and s m a l l direct shear tester for design

work.
PICTURE I. Sample ready for testing PICTURE 2. Failed sample

PICTURE 3. Triaxial cell under loading (assembly)

FIGURE 8. TRIAXIAL TESTING EQUIPMENT

 48.

However, in the case of Stopes w i t h comparatively larger opening

size, this error may n o t be v e r y s e r i o u s , and it c a n be s e e n from

the preceding Equations 3 (12) and 3 (14) t h a t pressures are in the

range of 6 P.S.I. t o 30 P . S . I . d e p e n d i n g on w h e t h e r it is a free

mass-flow, or f l o w on t h e s i d e s l o p e s , etc.

Observations made and r e s u l t s o b t a i n e d from these tests are presented

in Table 2 of Appendix III and in Chapter 5.

 49.
CHAPTER 5

TESTS DESCRIPTION PROCEDURES & R E S U L T S .

5. 1 G e n e r a 1:

The t e s t w o r k was s t a r t e d w i t h the study of the cave f i g u r e s in ore

i n t h e open mass. Cave f i g u r e determinations i n o p e n mass mean t h a t the

model was f i l l e d w i t h o r e m a t e r i a l and m a r k e d s t o n e and was w i t h o u t any ob-

structions a g a i n s t a f r e e development of gravity f l o w and c a v e figures. In

other words, no s i d e s l o p e s w e r e p l a c e d on e a c h s i d e o f the d r i f t . Loading

was done f r o m t h e d r i f t and s e c t i o n a l d i a g r a m s p l o t t e d as d e s c r i b e d in Sec-

tion 4.5. These t e s t s are useful in doing the s o l i d g e o m e t r i c a l studies of

the d i f f e r e n t sequences of t h e f l o w and t h e y a r e a l s o o f fundamental impor-

tance for the u n d e r s t a n d i n g of the g r a v i t y flow. One s e t o f such cave

figures tests is sufficient to study the t r a n s v e r s e sub level caving method,

but for the longitudinal sub level caving tests, such cave f i g u r e s studies

are e s s e n t i a l almost with every possible configuration. T h i s was observed

during t h e p r e l i m i n a r y model t e s t s w h i c h w e r e c o n d u c t e d by us b e f o r e , and it

was o b s e r v e d that t h e p a r t i c l e movements a l o n g t h e H.W. contact is faster

than in the rest of the broken mass.

Therefore, first a few t e s t s w e r e p e r f o r m e d in o r d e r to check the

layouts of the t r a n s v e r s e sub level c a v i n g w h i c h h a v e been u s e d in the plan-

n i n g work a l r e a d y . Thereafter, a few m o d i f i c a t i o n s w e r e done w i t h t h e model

to render it suitable for the comprehensive t e s t i n g of the longitudinal sub

level caving layouts, this b e i n g the main a r e a of investigation of this

thesis. Instead of t e s t i n g every possible configuration for the longitudin-

al sub level caving layouts, more e m p h a s i s has b e e n g i v e n to check the design

work o f the 'A' ore body, which is generally n a r r o w and s t e e p l y dipping

 50.

(widths range approx. between 1 5 ' t o h0' and d i p s v a r y b e t w e e n 65 to 80).

The 'A' o r e body i s one o f the first few a r e a s on t h e m i n i n g p r o g r a m . After

the procedures of t e s t i n g and i n t e r p r e t a t i o n w i t h i n a close range of accur-

acy have been e s t a b l i s h e d , e x t e n d e d t e s t w o r k c o u l d be t a k e n up f o r any

particular configuration at the time i t w i l l be r e q u i r e d t o c h e c k any layout.

5.2 Description of t h e Model Tests:

Transverse Sub-Level Caving Method: A total of eleven tests was

done. These comprised of tests i n t h e o p e n mass and t e s t s w i t h side slopes

of lk", 79 and 8 4 . Therefore, the tests covered 5 a b o v e and b e l o w the

standard adopted p a t t e r n of 79 side slopes. Two o f the above tests were

repeated in order t o e v a l u a t e any d i s c r e p a n c i e s due t o p e r s o n n e l error;

these were found t o be n e g l i g i b l e . Tests performed i n t h e o p e n mass indicate

that the a n g l e of sliding i s b e t w e e n 75 - 79. It is realized, however,

that this angle is a f u n c t i o n of size distribution i n t h e b r o k e n mass and

other factors.

Longitudinal Sub-Level Caving Method: Twenty-six tests have been

completed f o r t h i s method. Ore body w i d t h s of 20', 30', k0' and 50', vary-

i n g between f o o t w a l l angles of 55 and 75 w i t h increments of 5, have been

tried. For the f i r s t few t e s t s , the e x t r a c t i o n drift was p l a c e d in footwall

contact and draw c o n f i g u r a t i o n s were s t u d i e d . Later, i t was d e c i d e d to

place the d r i f t well into the f o o t w a l l where f o o t w a l l a n g l e s were less than

70. These r e s u l t s were compared w i t h similar l a y o u t s w h i c h had u s e d no

footwall slash. Quite encouraging r e s u l t s were o b t a i n e d w i t h this improve-

ment.

B a s e d on t h e a b o v e c o n s i d e r a t i o n s , the test p r o g r a m was evolved.

 51

A total of thirty-seven tests, one i n c l u d i n g on 1:20 s c a l e covered the enti

programme. General breakdown o f the t e s t s i s as follows:

5.3 Test Program:

A. TRANSVERSE SUB-LEVEL CAVING T E S T S :

1. Cave f i g u r e tests i n open m a s s .

2. Test with 74 side slopes - central loading.

Test with 74 side slopes - alternate loading.

3. Test with 79 s i d e s l o p e s - alternate loading.

4. Test with 84 side slopes - alternate loading.

B. LONGITUDINAL S U B - L E V E L CAVING T E S T S :

Orebody W i d t h : Footwal1 Angles: Footwal1 Slash:

1. 20 ft. 60, 65 no slash

65 90 slash
65 85 slash
65 80 slash
65 75 slash

2. 30 f t . 60, 65, 75 no slash

65 80 slash

3. 40 f t . 55, 60, 65 no slash

65 80 slash

4. 50 ft. 55, 70 80 slash

(in drift 'A')

5. 20 f t . 65 80 slash
(1:20 scale test)

Some o f the tests mentioned in 'A' S 'B' above were repeated to

check the e f f e c t s of different ore m a t e r i a l , swell factors, loading pattern

 52.
and t h e e f f e c t of consolidating column o f ore over a desired blast retreat

distance, by means o f a vibrator.

The t e s t s were not carried out i n any p a r t i c u l a r sequence or order,

but were done a f t e r the e l i m i n a t i o n p r i n c i p l e , i.e., information obtained

from the p r e v i o u s tests was u s e d f o r the next test in a p r o g r e s s i v e manner.

5.4 Testing Procedure:

After a few t e s t s had a l r e a d y been c o m p l e t e d , a c c o r d i n g to the des-

cription in Section 4.5, the p a r t i c u l a r aspect of l o a d i n g t h e model was

studied and t e s t e d , using e x i s t i n g facilities. The percentage of voids was

t e s t e d both in the loosely p a c k e d and p a c k e d o r e m a t e r i a l , d e p e n d e n t upon the

screen analysis of the m a t e r i a l being used. Considerable consolidation could

be a c h i e v e d by p a c k i n g by means o f a vibrator. In o r d e r to study the effect

of consolidation, the broken ore column f o r a particular blast retreat dis-

t a n c e was v i b r a t e d . T h i s was done on t h e a s s u m p t i o n t h a t consolidation takes

place in the d i r e c t i o n of the e x t r a c t i o n drift, because the m a j o r i t y of the

free face is in that direction. It was f o u n d that cave figures do change

depending upon how t h e o r e m a t e r i a l was f i l l e d in t h e model and confirmed

the view that gravity f l o w changes w i t h the change in the b u l k density

( d e r i v e d from the s p e c i f i c g r a v i t y and t h e v o i d s in the b u l k ) . This aspect

h a s an i m p o r t a n t b e a r i n g on t h e c a l c u l a t i o n o f the o r e recoveries, dilutions

and t h e total extractions b a s e d on t h e draw f i g u r e s . From t h e f o r e g o i n g , it

became a p p a r e n t that t h e use o f proper swell factors for the choke blasted

ore c o l u m n and t h e muck i n t h e b u c k e t o f a scooptram are important for the

proper interpretation of the draw figures.

It is considered, therefore, that a model l o a d e d w i t h o r e and w a s t e

 53.

material without proper consolidations in the respective regions would serve

no b e t t e r purpose than being a v i s u a l aid only.

For the above reasoning, any q u a n t i t a t i v e analysis b a s e d on the

draw f i g u r e s obtained from the t e s t s used as s u c h f o r the c a l c u l a t i o n of per-

centage recoveries, waste d i l u t i o n s and t o t a l extraction, etc., will be u n -

realistic and m i s l e a d i n g . For t h e same r e a s o n , o r e and w a s t e t e s t s in the

model, which are a l s o extremely time consuming from the s o r t i n g point of

view, were dropped from the program. A few illustrative tests and loading

intensity t e s t s w e r e done a s m e n t i o n e d i n S e c t i o n 4.3.

Draw f i g u r e s are o b t a i n e d , therefore, by means o f section diagrams

with the help of marker g r i d stones as d e t a i l e d i n S e c t i o n 4.5, i n t h e case

of every c o n f i g u r a t i o n studied.

T e s t i n g was c a r r i e d on w i t h the v i b r a t e d column o f ore (Section

4.50- After the completion of a few t e s t s , i t was f o u n d that t h e use of

the v i b r a t o r is not c o n t r o l l a b l e and t h e c o n s o l i d a t i o n s o b t a i n e d a r e not

consistent. Further, t h e c o n s o l i d a t i o n s o b t a i n e d by this method still

c o u l d not represent fully the c o n d i t i o n s of the a c t u a l b l a s t e d column of

ore, and c o r r e c t i o n s a r e needed to interpret the results. Therefore, these

t e s t s were not c o n t i n u e d as a r e g u l a r procedure.

The final procedure, however, evolved after the above experimenta-

tion and its description follows,

Loading of t h e model was done w i t h ore material o n l y , without any

vibration. Marker s t o n e s were p l a c e d in the e n t i r e volume o f the loaded

mass, in each t e s t . S c o o p s w e r e drawn w i t h the d e s i r e d loading intensity

(a r a t i o of muck drawn f r o m t h e F.W. or t h e H.W. of the d r i f t ) , w h i c h was

s o m e t i m e s g u i d e d by t h e w a s t e band l a i d on t h e t o p o f the o u t l i n e of the

 5h.

actual shape of the b l a s t . Extraction volumes were c o r r e c t e d w i t h the appli-

cation of proper swell factors (Section 5-41) o f the m a t e r i a l in use. Cal-

culations for ore recovery, waste d i l u t i o n s and t o t a l extractions a r e made

as c o n s i d e r e d in S e c t i o n 5.43.

5.41 Swell Factor:

On r e v i e w i n g t h e w o r k done a t M t . Isa, (50), i t is noted that a con-

fined swell factor of 1.10 is used f o r the b l a s t e d column of o r e , which is

c a u s e d by t h e e x p a n s i o n when a r i n g is fired. When t h e o r e is e x t r a c t e d , a

further expansion occurs such t h a t an o v e r a l l swell factor is 1.5, b u t the

intermediate swell factor between 1.10 and 1.5 is 1.37- In draw control,

intermediate swell factor i s an important variable.

In o r d e r to d e r i v e this swell factor of the ore m a t e r i a l in the

scoop bucket used f o r t h e model testing, a few e x p e r i m e n t s w e r e conducted.

The value f o u n d was n o t much d i f f e r e n t from the v a l u e of swell factor of the

actual m a t e r i a l used i n t h e model in any test (see T a b l e 1 S IA, Appendix Il).

It c a n be s a i d , then that in s i t u swell factor of 1.37 u s e d f o r the heaped

bucket i n the mine is less than the o v e r a l l swell factor of 1.5 b e c a u s e of

c o n s o l i d a t i o n brought about by the d i g g i n g a c t i o n of the scoop over a wide

range o f fragmentation i n t h e draw point.

It s h o u l d be m e n t i o n e d h e r e that the computed v a l u e s o f o r e re-

coveries and t o t a l extractions a r e as good a s t h e a s s u m p t i o n s made i n the >

calculations of the swell factor. W i t h some p r e l i m i n a r y experiments and.

field observations, swell factors have been d e r i v e d for the broken rock

loaded i n t h e model and t h e in s i t u swell factor of the loaded bucket for

c a l c u l a t i o n work. It is, however, known t h a t t h e r e a r e not very precise

means a v a i l a b l e y e t for finding the in s i t u swell f a c t o r of the granular

materials. It has been o b s e r v e d by v a r i o u s workers that consolidated granu-

lar material dilates as f l o w e n s u e s . Now t h a t c o n s o l i d a t i o n of the ore

column region i n t h e model i s much l e s s than that of the b l a s t e d column of

ore i n t h e s t o p e and i t was o b s e r v e d also i n t h e model that draw proceeds

faster i n t h e upward d i r e c t i o n in relation to the depth i n t h e model and on

this account a l o n e , it can be p r e d i c t e d that waste d i l u t i o n s and thereby

total extractions show h i g h e r values i n t h e model t h a n what w i l l actually

happen in the m i n e .

5.42 Scoop Factor:

From t h e a b o v e , a scoop f a c t o r or t h e number o f buckets to be drawn

for a particular blast retreat d i s t a n c e has b e e n c a l c u l a t e d as follows:

I n - s i t u volume o f rock b l a s t e d I n - s i t u S . F . of the

f o r the b . r . d . under i n v e s t i - X muck i n t h e h e a p e d
gation. bucket.
SCOOP FACTOR =
Volume o f the heaped b u c k e t (112 cu.ft.)

For simplicity, scoop f a c t o r s b a s e d on t h e a b o v e h a v e been used

purely for comparison purposes throughout the c o m p u t a t i o n work. In fact,

this figure will have t o be a d j u s t e d in actual practice since the o u t l i n e of

t h e draw v o l u m e s t a y s generally outside of the o r e and w a s t e inter-face in

the stope.

5.43 C a l c u l a t i o n Procedure for Ore Recovery and T o t a l Extractions:

The v o l u m e s o f o r e and w a s t e , w h i c h a r e c o n t a i n e d by c a v e figures

of different total extractions h a v e been e s t i m a t e d f o r different sizes of

 56.
blasts. S i n c e the cave figures are unsymmetrical, it i s not possible to use

volume integration and c o n s e q u e n t l y no r o t a t i o n a l s o l i d c o u l d be e s t a b l i s h e d .

Instead, the volumes o f the cave f i g u r e s w e r e e s t i m a t e d by u s i n g prismoidal

formulas, by w h i c h the areas of very thin s l i c e s of the s o l i d figures are

measured.

Figure 9 shows the procedure for the c a l c u l a t i o n o f o r e recovery,

total extraction and w a s t e d i l u t i o n s , etc., in the s p e c i a l c a s e , when the

ore c o l u m n h a s been v i b r a t e d and has a d i f f e r e n t S.F. than the rest of the

mass. In a g e n e r a l case, i.e., when t h e S . F . of the e n t i r e mass i s t h e same

or x = y in F i g . 9, c a l c u l a t i o n s a r e m o d i f i e d accordingly.

5-5 Test Results:

Ore recoveries, total extractions and w a s t e d i l u t i o n s are calcu-

l a t e d as d e s c r i b e d i n S e c t i o n 5.^3 f o r a range o f sub level intervals and

blast retreat distances. These a r e tabulated in Table 1 and T a b l e IA in

Appendix II. It i s not p o s s i b l e to discuss all the t e s t s here but t h e most

representative o n e s h a v e been g r o u p e d appropriately in the above tables for

comparison purposes. Table 1 and I A , also i n c l u d e the intensity of loading

in the e x t r a c t i o n drift.

Hang-ups and d i s t u r b a n c e s w e r e o b s e r v e d during s c o o p i n g t h e muck

from the model. However, cave f i g u r e s a r e drawn up a f t e r the general

pattern of draw w h i c h is represented in the proposed layout drawings.

Due t o the p r o b a b l e inconsistencies in the d e t e r m i n a t i o n of swell

f a c t o r of the v i b r a t e d ore c o l u m n i n some o f the tests, the calculated

values of the results m i g h t show v a r i a n c e . For this r e a s o n , a few tests

were repeated with swell factors d e t e r m i n e d as c a r e f u l l y as was possible

 57.
ORE ZONE A WASTE ZONE B

SECTION

ORE PACKED WITH VIBRATOR

VOLUME 'C

0' 5' 10' 15' 20' 25' 30'

A TYPICAL SECTION ALONG THE CENTER OF THE EXTRACTION DRIFT

Volume C T X
ORE RECOVERY % x 100 = O r

(Volume C -fx ) + (Volume D-ry)

TOTAL EXTRACTION % x 100 = T.e
V
Volume D-i-y
WASTE DILUTION % x 100 = W,
(Volume C-rx)+( Volume D-ry)

WHERE
a = BLAST RETREAT DISTANCE UNDER STUDY
b = x-a (VIBRATED COLUMN OF ORE )
V = IN SITU VOLUME OF THE ORE BLASTED IN THE BLAST RETREAT
DISTANCE OF 'a'

FIGURE 9. CALCULATION PROCEDURE FOR ORE RECOVERY,

TOTAL E X T R A C T I O N AND W A S T E DILUTION.
 58.
within the p r a c t i c a l range. Tests numbers 3 7 , 36, 31, 33 a n d 32 f o r orebody

widths of 2 0 ' , 3 0 ' , 40' a t 6 5 F.W. a n g l e and 50' a t 5 5 and 70 F.W. angle

respectively c a n be c o n s i d e r e d most representative for the c a l c u l a t e d values

of ore recovery, total extraction and w a s t e d i l u t i o n , etc.

From t h e s t u d y of the Table 1 & IA (Appendix ll), it c a n be said

that the results o b t a i n e d f r o m g e o m e t r i c a l l y s c a l e d model h a s g i v e n useful

information regarding the relative importance of various layouts or con-

figurations, but there remains yet the problem of properly scaling-up the

results to p r e d i c t the behaviour of the stope w i t h regard to the actual ore

recoveries and t o t a l extractions.

It c a n be f o r e s e e n , that these figures will have t o be constantly

r e v i s e d a s more information is learned about t h e draw c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s , both

f r o m t h e model tests, and f r o m a c t u a l controlled draws i n t h e sub level cave

areas. A further modification of t h e draw v o l u m e w i l l change t o t a l extrac-

tions according to the grade in the s t o p i n g area.

Before t h e d i s c u s s i o n on t e s t s is started, the f o l l o w i n g notations

are described.

1. #, i n t h e d i s c u s s i o n on v a r i o u s tests refers to s e r i a l number in

Table 1 or IA in Appendix II.

2. Recommended l a y o u t p a r a m e t e r s b a s e d on t h e a n a l y s i s o f the results

are presented in Table V, Appendix IV.

3. Configurations 'A' to 'H' in Appendix IV show p r o p o s e d layout

patterns b a s e d on T a b l e V, Appendix IV.

56 D i s c u s s i o n on t h e L o n g i t u d i n a l Sub L e v e l Caving Tests. 1

5.61 20 f t . Orebody width.

 59.

5.611 A t 60 F.W. a n g l e @ 60 f t . S.L.I.

#1 a t 7' b . r . d . ; no F.W. slash; Or = 59-5% Te = 83.

#2 a t 7' b . r . d . ; 80 F . W . s l a s h ; O r = 85.0. Te = 134S.

C o m p a r i n g #1 & #2; O r improves w i t h F.W. slash. Te i n #1 show

less than even 100.. This is erroroneous because the increased flow along

t h e H.W. Contact removed a l l t h e m a r k e d s t o n e s much f a s t e r and l a t e r , waste

was rilling in from the v e r y top w i t h no m a r k e r s in it. So a p a r t of the

total extraction was n o t shown on t h e s e c t i o n a l d i a g r a m s and h e n c e , calcu-

l a t e d Te is less than 100.. This error can q u i t e possibly appear with

narrow o r e b o d i e s and f l a t t e r angles. However, chances of this occurrence

were removed by p l a c i n g t h e m a r k e d s t o n e s much b e y o n d the top o u t l i n e of the

blast.

5.6121 At 65 F.W. angle, 60 ft. S.L.I. @6 ft. b.r.d.

#3> no F.W. slash 0v = 71 .0% , Te = 130.

#4, 9 0 F.W. slash Or = 86.6. , Te = 146.

#13, 8 5 F W. slash 0 r = 84.6. , Te = 138.

#6, 8 0 F.W. slash 0 r = 82.6. , Te = 128.

Comparing the above, it shows t h a t 9 0 F.W. slash gives the best

ore recoveries, but s p e c i f i c a t i o n s of production drill jumbos s u i t best to

t h e F.W. s l a s h of 80 to the h o r i z o n t a l , while k e e p i n g a minimum p o r t i o n of

the d r i f t width into the waste rock. Therefore, layouts with 80 F.W. slash

(#6) c a n be s e l e c t e d e v e n though it produces slightly lower Ore recovery

compared t o 90 o r 8 5 F.W. slash.

It s h o u l d be m e n t i o n e d h e r e that total extractions used f o r any

comparison of ore recovery a r e b a s e d on an a s s u m e d a v e r a g e grade of the

 60.

orebody. However, total extractions w o u l d h a v e t o be a d j u s t e d a c c o r d i n g to

high or low g r a d e o r e in any p a r t i c u l a r portion of the orebody.

Now, comparing Test No. 27 (#5, 6) a n d T e s t N o . 37 (#19, 2 0 , 2 1 , 22,

23, 24) a t 60 f t . S.L.I, and 8 0 F . W . slash, it shows that best ore recover-

ies and t o t a l extractions a r e o b t a i n e d on a c o m p a r a t i v e b a s i s , a t 8 ft.

b.r.d. Therefore, #20 w o u l d d i c t a t e the s e l e c t i o n of optimum l a y o u t para-

m e t e r s a t 60 f t . S.L.I.

5.6122 At 65 F.W. angle @ 45 ft. S.L.I.

#15 a t 7' b . r . d . @ 8 5 F.W. slash

#26 a t 6' b . r . d . @ 8 0 F.W. slash

give good o r e recoveries and t h e y a r e c o m p a r a b l e t o #20 a s d i s c u s s e d in

Section 5-6121. Therefore, 45 ft. S.L.I, c a n be a p o s s i b l e layout parameter

b u t a 60' S . L . I , i s more e c o n o m i c a l in the s i m i l i a r conditions. Further,

the s e l e c t i o n of S.L-I- is to s a t i s f y the restraint of either 30 f t . or mul-

t i p l e of it in the c a s e o f Granduc o v e r a l l development program in the cur-

rently developing ore block.

5-6123 At 65 F.W. angle & 30 f t . S.L.I.

T e s t No. 28 (#17) and T e s t No. 37 (#27, 28, 29) show low o r e re-

coveries compared w i t h 45 f t . or 60 f t . S.L.I, in t h e i r respective tests.

It is easy to interpret that for t h e same p e r c e n t a g e o r e recovery

and t o t a l extractions, a higher sub level interval which is compatible with

other practical & operational considerations i s more e c o n o m i c a l a n d , there-

fore, preferable.

From S e c t i o n s 5-611, 5-6121, 5-6122 and 5-6123, #20 in Table 1 is

 61 .

the s e l e c t e d layout. It is shown a s C o n f i g u r a t i o n A and S e r i a l No. 1

( T a b l e 5) b o t h g r o u p e d under Appendix IV.

5.62 30 F t . Orebody Width:-

5.621 At 6 0 F.W. angle, 60 f t . S.L.I. & Loading Intensity

= H . W . : F.W.::1:3

T e s t No. 9 (#34, 3 5 , 36, 37, 38 and 3 9 ) , w i t h no F.W. slash, shows

on a c o m p a r a t i v e b a s i s that 60' S . L . I , and 8 f t . b.r.d. is the b e s t . How-

ever, i t was f o u n d w i t h further testing that o v e r a l l ore recovery values can

be improved w i t h the i n t r o d u c t i o n of a F.W. slash.

5.622 At 65 F.W. angle, 60 ft. S.L.I., no F.W. slash &8 ft. b.r.d.

#41, l o a d i n g intensity = H.W.:F.W.::3:1 ; 0 r = 54.7. Te = 1 1 0 .

#40, l o a d i n g intensity = H.W.:F.W.::1:1 ; 0 T = 81.0% Te = 113.

The a b o v e shows c l e a r l y that alternate loading is better than ex-

cessive l o a d i n g f r o m t h e H.W. side.

A comparison of draw f i g u r e s representing #41 and #40 i s shown by

Configuration J & K (Appendix IV) respectively. A further improvement of

t h e draw f i g u r e i s brough about by a F.W. s l a s h and an i n c r e a s e d intensity

of l o a d i n g on t h e F.W. side at the s t a r t of loading. This is shown by Con-

figuration B (#49, Section 5-6221).

5.6221 At 65 angle, 60 ft. S.L.I. & 80 F.W. slash.

Loading Intensity = First 90 s c o o p s a r e drawn f r o m t h e F.W. side

only and t h e r e a f t e r , alternate loading i s done f r o m e a c h s i d e o f the drift.

 62.

Test No. 36 (#47 t o #52) shows that 8 ft. b.r.d. (#49) renders the

best ore recovery and l e a s t total extraction with the above layout para-

meters .

5.6222 At 65 F.W. a n g l e , 45 f t . S . L . I . S 80 F.W. slash.

T e s t No. 36 (#53, 54 a n d 55) show o r e recovery is better with 6 ft.

b.r.d. compared to e i t h e r a 5 f t . or 8 f t . b.r.d.

5.6223 At 65 F.W. a n g l e , 30 f t . S . L . I . & 80 F.W. slash.

Again, T e s t No. 36 (#56, 57 and 58) show t h a t b . r . d . of 6 ft. is

better than 5 f t . or 8 ft. But on t h e w h o l e , 30 f t . S.L.I, gives low ore

recoveries and h e n c e it i s not preferable.

From S e c t i o n s 5-622, 5-6221, 5-6222 and 5-6223, i t i s seen that

#49 of T e s t No. 36 s u g g e s t s the best layout p a t t e r n , which i s shown a s C o n -

figuration B and S e r i a l No. 3 ( T a b l e 5) in Appendix IV.

5-623 At 75 F.W. a n g l e & no F.W. slash.

T e s t No. 25 (#59, 60, 61, 62, 63 and 64) indicate thatout of all

'sub level intervals' and 'blast retreat distance' c o m b i n a t i o n s , #60 is pre-

ferable. Therefore, 60' S.L.I, a t 8' b.r.d. is acceptable. Proposed layout

is shown a s C o n f i g u r a t i o n F and S e r i a l No. 4 i n T a b l e 5, both in Appendix IV.

5.63 40 f t . Orebody Width:-

5.63I At 55 F.W. a n g l e , No F.W. s l a s h and L o a d i n g S e q u e n c e

= H.W.:F.W.::1:3

T e s t No. 14 (#65 t o #70) i n d i c a t e that 30 f t . S.L.I, is the best

c o m p a r e d t o 45 f t . or 60 f t . S.L.I, at b . r . d . of 5 ft. or 6 ft.

It is c l e a r from t h i s test that if no F.W. slash is used, then for

 63.

moderately wider orebodies (30 ft. t o 50 f t . ) a t low F.W. a n g l e s (55 a n d

below) a lower sub l e v e l interval with a small b.r.d. is d e s i r a b l e . Never-

theless, with t h e i n t r o d u c t i o n o f p r o p e r F.W. s l a s h , ore recoveries c a n be

improved further.

5.532 A t 65 F.W. a n g l e , no F . W . s l a s h and L o a d i n g S e q u e n c e

= H.W.:F.W.::1:3

T e s t N o . 13 (#71 t o #76) shows t h a t 45 f t . S.L.I, at 8 f t . to 7 f t .

b.r.d. gives better recoveries c o m p a r e d t o e i t h e r o f 30 f t . o r 60 f t . S.L.I.

It is i n t e r e s t i n g to note here that w i t h increase i n F.W. a n g l e to

65 f r o m 55 as f r o m S e c t i o n 5.631, o p t i m u m S . L . I , i n c r e a s e s t o 45 f t . in

p l a c e o f 30 f t . However, this S.L.I, c a n n o t be i s o l a t e d f r o m t h e r e s t of

the o p e r a t i o n , so t h e o b v i o u s s e l e c t i o n w o u l d be i n f a v o u r o f a 60 f t . S.L.I,

at 5 f t . to 6 f t . b.r.d. e v e n t h o u g h 30 f t . S.L.I, o r 45 f t . S.L.I, give

equal or better ore recoveries.

5.6321 A t 65 F.W. a n g l e , 80 F.W. s l a s h 6 L o a d i n g I n t e n s i t y = F i r s t 180

s c o o p s a r e drawn f r o m t h e F.W. s i d e o n l y and, thereafter, alternate

loading i s done f r o m e a c h s i d e o f t h e drift.

T e s t N o . 31 (#77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83 and 84) c o m p a r e d 60 f t . ,

45 f t . a n d 30 f t . S.L. Intervals o v e r a range o f b l a s t retreat distances.

60 f t . S.L.I, with 8 ft. b.r.d. (#78) gives t h e maximum o p t i m u m o r e r e -

coveries. Therefore, the f i n a l layout i s s u g g e s t e d by t h i s . Configuration

C from S e r i a l No. 5 o f T a b l e 5 i n A p p e n d i x IV is the proposed layout.

A graph showing the c o m p a r i s o n between o r e r e c o v e r i e s v/s total

extractions f o r t h e recommended l a y o u t s o f 20', 30' and 40 1

orebodies is

attached in Figure 11.

 100

90

80
-
70
rr
LU
> 60
o
o
LU
50
CC
J9
40 '+

30
*
20

*
10

/
/

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160

TOTAL EXTRACTION ( % )

20' OREBODY
FIGURE II. C O M P A R I S O N OF O R E R E C O V E R I E S / s T O T A L
v

E X T R A C T I O N S FOR 2 0 ' , 3 0 ' A N D 4 0 ' O R E B O D I E S 30' OREBODY

AT 6 0 ' S U B L E V E L I N T E R V A L , 6 5 F.W. A N G L E
40' OREBODY
AND 8 ' B L A S T R E T R E A T D I S T A N C E
 65.

5.64 50 f t . Orebody Width;-

5-641 At 5 5 F.W. angle, F.W. slash in D r i f t A (see Configuration D) and

Loading Intensity (see T a b l e 6 in Appendix IV).

T e s t No. 33 (#85, 86, 87 and 8 8 ) . Calculated ore recoveries and

total extractions are determined for 8 ft. and 6 f t . b.r.d. separately for

loading in D r i f t A. S i m i l a r c a l c u l a t i o n s a r e made f o r b.r.d. of 6 ft. and

4 ft. in the case of Drift B. Thereafter, various combinations of blast re-

treat distances in D r i f t A and D r i f t B are t r i e d (#93, 9 4 , 95 and 96). |t is

seen t h a t a combination of 6 ft. b.r.d. in D r i f t A and a l s o a 6 f t . b.r.d. in

Drift B (#95) r e s u l t in b e t t e r ore recoveries compared t o o t h e r combinations.

Hence, this combination is acceptable for layout in t h i s case. Loading se-

quence adopted f o r Drift A and D r i f t B, given in Table 6 - Appendix IV, was

g u i d e d by the p r o g r e s s i v e downward movement o f a band o f w a s t e rock (white

in colour) p l a c e d on t h e t o p o u t l i n e of a standard ring at the s t a r t of

loading. P i c t u r e s were taken at d i f f e r e n t stages of l o a d i n g and they are

grouped under Figure 15 i n A p p e n d i x V . Proposed layout is shown a s Config-

uration D from Serial No. 6 of Table 5.

5.642 At 70 F.W. a n g l e , F.W. slash in D r i f t A (see Configuration E) and

Loading Intensity (see T a b l e 7 in Appendix IV).

T e s t No. 32 (#89, 9 0 , 91 and 9 2 ) . Exactly t h e same p r o c e d u r e is

a d o p t e d as in the case of Test No. 33, Section 5-641. Calculated ore re-

coveries and t o t a l extractions are determined for 8 ft. and 6 f t . b.r.d. for

Drift A and 6 f t . , 4 ft. b.r.d. for Drift B respectively. From different

combinations of blast retreat distances in D r i f t A and D r i f t B (#97, 9 8 , 99

and 1 0 0 ) , an 8 f t . - 6 ft. combination (#98) g i v e s the h i g h e s t overall ore

recoveries. Proposed layout i s b a s e d on t h i s result and i s shown as Con-

 66.

figuration E from S e r i a l No. 7 of Table 5.

In the s e l e c t e d layout, combination of blast retreat distances

cover different depths in D r i f t A and D r i f t B. Therefore, proper sequence

of b l a s t i n g w o u l d h a v e t o be d e v e l o p e d in a c t u a l practice. In any c a s e , if

different blast retreat d i s t a n c e s are chosen f o r Drift A and D r i f t B, then

retreat in D r i f t B s h o u l d be k e p t a s t e p a h e a d o f retreat in D r i f t A. The

foregoing is s p e c i a l l y s i g n i f i c a n t with orebodies dipping at angles less

than 6 5 . Loading sequence from D r i f t A or Drift B i s shown in Table 7,

Appendix IV.

In o r d e r to find t h e most s u i t a b l e location for Drift 1

B 1
in rela-

tion to D r i f t A, the f i r s t d e s i g n was made by t r a n s p o s i n g d i f f e r e n t cave

figures already o b t a i n e d on t h e s e c t i o n s o f the w i d e r o r e b o d y , so as to

o b t a i n the best draw. As t h e t e s t i n g p r o g r e s s e d , a noteworthy observation

was made i n t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f a vertical plane of draw w h i c h results from

the e x t e n s i o n of surfaces of sliding (Section 3-37) s t a r t i n g f r o m t h e inner

sides of the e x t r a c t i o n drifts. Therefore, it is f o u n d t h a t o p t i m u m maximum

centre to c e n t r e d i s t a n c e between D r i f t A and D r i f t B is double the horizon-

tal d i s t a n c e between the c e n t r e l i n e of e i t h e r drift from the v e r t i c a l posi-

t i o n of the s u r f a c e of sliding. T h i s phenomenon is of considerable value

a n d c a n be u s e d in the q u a n t i t a t i v e design of locating multiple extraction

drifts in the case of longitudinal sub level c a v i n g methods thus e l i m i n a t i n g

t h e g u e s s w o r k e m p l o y e d so f a r . A logical extension of this procedure could

be a p p l i e d t o 60 f t . o r even b i g g e r orebody widths.

5.65 E s t i m a t e d W a s t e From t h e F o o t w a l 1 Slash:-

Footwall s l a s h t o be t a k e n i n t h e w a s t e rock f o r the purpose of

improving the g r a v i t y flow in l o n g i t u d i n a l sub level caving stopes is

 67-

recorded b e l o w as a p e r c e n t a g e of the total volume o f ore broken in a s t a n -

dard ring:

Orebody W i d t h . F.W. Angle Extra Waste in the Slash.

20' 55 13.7%
20' 65 7-8%
30' 55 9-0%
30' 65 5-0%
40' 55 6.7%
h0' 65 3-7%
50' 55 2.8%
50' 70 1.9%

5.66 20 f t . O r e b o d y W i d t h , 65 F.W. A n g l e S 80 F.W. Slash

Tested W i t h 1:20 S c a l e M o d e l . .

T o w a r d s t h e end o f the test work, one t e s t was c o n d u c t e d on a 1:20

scale geometrically r e d u c e d model w i t h similar b a s i c parameters as u s e d in

T e s t No. 37 a t 1:30 scale. Also, the parameters o f t e s t i n g were kept similar

in both cases. The swell factor of the m a t e r i a l used in this t e s t was ar-

ranged to match w i t h the e q u i v a l e n t test (No. 37) on 1:30 scale. This was

achieved by changing the screen a n a l y s i s of the tested material in steps

until the d e s i r e d s w e l l factor was o b t a i n e d . From T e s t 35 (#30, 31. 32, 33),

60 S . L . I , with 8 ft. b.r.d. gives the highest ore recoveries amongst this

group. From t h i s it is clear that results obtained f r o m 1:20 s c a l e and 1:30

s c a l e show a good a g r e e m e n t with each other.

Barnes (39), in his paper " S i m i l i t u d e in the S t u d i e s of Tillage

Implements Forces", has u s e d t h i s technique of checking the predictions

made by s m a l l s c a l e d models w i t h a bigger model than b e f o r e and repeated

this procedure a r e a s o n a b l e number o f times. This exercise helped show the

important variables taking part in the process a n d , as a r e s u l t , close

predictions to the prototype behaviour were made. S i m i l a r approach c a n be

adopted i n t h e mine model work to further advantage.

5.7 Discussion on the Transverse Sub L e v e l Caving Tests:-

5.71 A t 79 side slope & 30 f t . S.L.I.

Test No. 4 (#101 t o #105) show that blast retreat distance in the

r a n g e o f 7 f t . a n d 6 f t . (#103 #104) give best o r e recovery values.

5.72 A t 74 side slope & 30 f t . S.L.I.

From test No. 6 (#106 t o #109) i s found that in this case also,

best recoveries a r e t o be f o u n d with blast retreat distances of 6 f t . to

7 f t .

5-73 A t 84 side slopes & 30 f t . S.L.I.

Test No. 11 (#114 115), h e r e also 6 f t . and 7 f t . b l a s t retreat

distances give high ore recoveries.

It is clear, however, that optimum side slope angle must be found

somewhat above the angle of sliding, which was found t o be between 74 and

79 as determined from t h e cave figure tests i n t h e open mass. From Sec-

tions 5.71, 5.72 a n d 5-73 above, o r e recoveries show up b e t t e r with 84 side

slopeas compared to either 74 o r 79 side slope. However, lower develop-

ment cost and o p e r a t i o n a l costs required with a layout pattern o f 79 side

slopes, as compared t o 84 side slopes, make i ta desirable choice even

though somewhat better ore recoveries are obtainable with 84 side slope.

A 30 f t . S.L.I, a n d 79 side slope pattern has a l r e a d y been used in the

planning work. This i s shown b y C o n f i g u r a t i o n H from Serial No.8 o f T a b l e 5.

Configuration 1 shows the pattern o f draw in a vertical section along the

centre line of the extraction drift.

 69.

In conclusion, it can be said that the design of these proposed

layouts permit adoption to the already existing development work, when flexi-

b i l i t y is of great value for the f i r s t period of operation.

5-8 Change in the Angle of Sliding - Determined by

Triaxial Compression Testing Equipment:-

Table 2, attached in Appendix III - records some of the tests per-

formed, which clearly show the change in the angle of sliding and thereby a

change in cave figures upon varying the test conditions. These tests were

carried out with the ore samples from one particular place in the mine, but

samples of ore collected from various locations in the mine representing

different composition, can be tested to determine the difference in the flow

properties for the purposes of quantitative design work.

To illustrate the importance of Triaxial tests in designing the

blast retreat distance, attention is drawn to Test Nos. 10, 11, 12, 13 and

14 of Table 2, Appendix III.

Test No. Moisture Content Angle of Sliding

(M.C. %) (Degrees)

10 NIL 65

11 1.8% 64

12 3.6% 69

13 7.2% 61

14 10.8% 51

Figure 10 shows that the angle of sliding for the dry sample (Test

No. 10) is 65. A moisture content of 1.8% (Test No. 11) does alter the

angle of sliding to 64, but it is not very significant.

 70.

ELLIPSOID OF MOTION

60'

( 45 +<))-7-2) = 6 5

ANGLE OF SLIDING

II'

FIGURE 10
ANGLE OF SLIDING WITH V A R Y I N G M O I S T U R E CONTENT
DETERMINED BY T R I A X I A L TEST
 71

Moisture content of 3.6. (Test No. 12) reduces the f l o w a b i l i t y of

t h e mass and t e n d s to steepen the a n g l e of sliding t o 69 - hence reduces

the depth of ellipsoid.

Whereas, moisture content of 1.2% and 1 0 . 0 . ( T e s t Nos. 13 and 14)

show a p r o g r e s s i v e increase in the f l o w a b i l i t y , and f l a t t e n the angle of

sliding t o 61 and 51 r e s p e c t i v e l y - hence increase the depth of the ellip-

soid of motion.

Material description "F" ( T a b l e 3, Appendix III) was u s e d in tests

10 t h r o u g h 14, f o r the above c o m p a r i s o n . It is noted that Jenike (38) used

an a r b i t r a r i l y c h o s e n No. 20 mesh m a t e r i a l in h i s tests, because the flowa-

bility of a solid c o n t a i n i n g a range o f sieve s i z e s , which includes both

f i n e and c o a r s e p a r t i c l e s , is invariably governed by the f l o w properties

of the f i n e fraction. This i s e x p l a i n e d by the f a c t that during flow the

shearing takes place across the fines.

Nevertheless, these tests do i n d i c a t e the importance of extended

study in t h i s d i r e c t i o n , with regard t o G r a n d u c o r e and w a s t e .

 72.

CHAPTER 6

CONCLUSIONS

While f u l l scale testing under natural conditions would remain

essential as f i n a l demonstration of the worth of these kind of tests, cer-

tainly much p r e l i m i n a r y screening of the trial layouts of Longitudinal Sub

Level Caving Method c o u l d be c o n d u c t e d on t h e m o d e l .

Qualitative observations are reported and t h e e f f e c t s that will

have t o be d e a l t w i t h in t h e o r e t i c a l treatment are d e s c r i b e d . The following

conclusions a r e based on the results of a few most representative configura-

tions of orebodies at G r a n d u c M i n e s , and h e n c e , extrapolation of some of

these conclusions s h o u l d be a v o i d e d until further d a t a on a l l possible con-

figurations is available.

1. From t h e t h e o r y o f models, analysis completed at the present stage

shows that geometrical reduction of t h e model is permissible, so

that ore r e c o v e r y and t o t a l extraction figures obtained from the

model tests may a t l e a s t be u s e d u s e f u l l y for comparison purposes.

However, a correction for the conversion of results based m a i n l y on

the c o n s o l i d a t i o n and b u l k d e n s i t y in the s t o p e is required.

2. Tests c o n d u c t e d on 20, 30, kO and 50 f t . orebody widths at footwal1

angles less t h a n 70, w i t h a footwal1 slash, which is compatible

with production drill Jumbos specifications h a v e shown improved

recoveries a t 60 f t . sub level intervals.

3- Higher sub level intervals of 60' w i t h either narrow and s t e e p ore-

bodies or narrow a n d medium d i p p i n g o r e b o d i e s with proper F.W.

 73.

s l a s h show b e t t e r recoveries compared to a lower sub l e v e l interval

of 30' or hS'. H o w e v e r , w i d e and f l a t dipping orebodies a r e more

suited to lower sub level interval of the o r d e r o f 30 ft.

4. It has been o b s e r v e d , with the a i d of triaxial testing equipment,

that there i s a change in the cave f i g u r e s when t h e c o n f i n i n g pres-

sures or the m o i s t u r e contents are v a r i e d . Study of the change in

angle of s l i d i n g can, therefore, be u s e f u l in the d e s i g n o f optimum

blast retreat distance, etc., on t h e q u a n t i t a t i v e basis.

5. T e s t s on 50 ft. orebody width, with two e x t r a c t i o n drifts on the

same l e v e l on a l o n g i t u d i n a l sub level c a v i n g m e t h o d , has revealed

that overall ore recoveries are low a t low f o o t w a l l angles, but

with steeper footwall angles (70 and a b o v e ) , acceptable ore re-

coveries are o b t a i n a b l e . A layout with twin drifts a t 60 ft. sub

level interval with longitudinal sub level caving i s more e c o n o m i c a l

in terms o f waste development footage per t o n o f o r e m i n e d and also,

overall ore recovery at steeper dips compared to transverse sub

level c a v i n g method a t 30 ft. sub level interval. Further, it is

s e e n f r o m t h e draw f i g u r e s for 50 ft. orebodies that this method

c a n be e x t e n d e d t o 60 ft. orebodies also, with proper control of

loading intensity in d r i f t s 'A' and This is where there is

much t o g a i n p r i m a r i l y from the development cost standpoint by the

proper s e l e c t i o n between the longitudinal or t h e t r a n s v e r s e sub

level c a v i n g method in a p a r t i c u l a r situation.

 74.
CHAPTER 7

RECOMMENDATION FOR FURTHER WORK AND D I S C U S S I O N .

7 1 Recommendations f o r Future Work:

The literature review contained in t h i s report, while not all-

inclusive, reveals that the p r e s e n t s t a t e of understanding in the f i e l d of

gravity f l o w as a p p l i e d t o the stope design is very limited. It may, there-

fore, be c o n c l u d e d that this f i e l d has q u i t e a c h a l l e n g e in the development

o f modern sub level caving methods.

The results in the T a b l e 1, A p p e n d i x II, a r e not conclusive, pro-

marily because of several a s s u m p t i o n s made i n t h e c a l c u l a t i o n s o f ore re-

coveries and w a s t e d i l u t i o n s , etc. However, these results are useful in

determining the relative importance of various layouts.

It is appropriate t o make r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s f o r o t h e r investigations,

in the light o f w h a t has been revealed from the work so f a r . With t h i s in

mind, the f o l l o w i n g such recommendations f o r further and a d v a n c e d w o r k are

offered.

1. Stoping layouts s h o u l d be d e s i g n e d on a q u a n t i t a t i v e b a s i s and u s e

c a n be made o f J e n i k e and J o h n s o n and W a l k e r t h e o r i e s and also

their t e s t i n g equipment in d e t e r m i n i n g the flowability of the

broken ore and w a s t e . B a s e d on s u c h f l o w a b i l i t y test data, a mine

model c a n be c o n s t r u c t e d to check the p r e d i c t i o n s before implement-

ing the design in the mine.

2. Further experimental w o r k c o u l d be d e v e l o p e d to introduce the

effect of blasting in the model, or some s c a l e d e f f e c t thereof.

 75.

T h i s would mean t h a t a n a l y s i s o f the model s c a l i n g laws has to be

improved upon so t h a t model p r e d i c t i o n s are at least variance with

reality.

It i s seen t h a t mine model t e s t procedure adopted so f a r has been

time consuming because o f the placement and r e c o v e r y o f s p e c i a l l y

numbered rocks i n the model on t h r e e d i m e n s i o n a l g r i d . The numbered

rocks were used as indicators i n o r d e r to draw s e c t i o n a l diagrams

o f the cave f i g u r e s . There i s a scope f o r improvement here i n i n -

c r e a s i n g the e f f i c i e n c y o f the t e s t i n g procedure.

Observations in the f i e l d s h a l l have to be made to check the m e r i t

o f any d e s i g n a d o p t e d . This, generally, i s an e x t r e m e l y slow p r o -

cess s i n c e each problem u s u a l l y has f e a t u r e s p e c u l i a r t o itself.

However, techniques and i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n s h o u l d be d e v e l o p e d .

(a.) To m o n i t o r the flow p a t t e r n i n the stopes so as any c o r r e c -

t i v e measures be taken based on measurement r a t h e r than on

hunch ( m o n i t o r i n g i n the mass-flow b i n s can be e a s i l y i n s t a l -

led and has been used w i t h some s u c c e s s , but f o r the p l u g -

flow type b i n s proper m o n i t o r i n g has y e t to be d e v e l o p e d ) .

(b.) To determine the e x t e n t o f c a v i n g i n the s t o p i n g area which

is important from the o p e r a t i o n a l as w e l l as the s a f e t y point

of v i e w , i.e., i n o r d e r to know i f t h e r e i s an adequate mat

o f waste rock on the top o f a p a r t i c u l a r column o f o r e at any

time and a l s o i n a s s e s s i n g a s i t u a t i o n beforehand when dangers

from an a i r b l a s t areimminent.
 76.
(c.) For f l o w p r o m o t i o n and f l o w c o r r e c t i o n i n t h e s t o p e on e n -

countering an a r e a w h i c h reacts exceptionally unfavourably

to the average conditions for which the l a y o u t was designed.

5. Only v e r t i c a l blast/drill f a n s have been t e s t e d i n t h e model s o far,

However, a few t e s t s s h o u l d be done w i t h i n c l i n e d f a n s , as t h i s may

be t h e b e s t proposal just in case the f r a g m e n t a t i o n relationship is

such t h a t the caved waste is finer than the b l a s t e d ore in the mine,

6. The model tests c o u l d not g i v e exact answers to the question of

optimum l a y o u t , but do p r o v i d e a very close range for it. The lay-

o u t s w h i c h h a v e been p r o p o s e d p r o v i d e for adjustments i n some p a r t s ,

For e x a m p l e , b l a s t retreat distance, i n c l i n a t i o n of f a n s and the

intensity of loading, e t c . , c a n be i m p r o v e d a c c o r d i n g to the opera-

tional experience. Therefore, a practical follow-up should be

t a k e n up in t h e mine in a s e l e c t e d t e s t area. This test area

s h o u l d be s o c h o s e n t h a t it d o e s n o t d e p e n d on t h e regular produc-

tion operation. Drilling, b l a s t i n g and l o a d i n g must be c a r r i e d out

with attention and, therefore, more s l o w l y t h a n n o r m a l s o a good

control c a n be k e p t by t h e p e r s o n in charge of this operation.

7.2 Operational & Practical Detail:

Some o f the parameters of sub level c a v i n g method a r e discussed

here in the light o f o p e r a t i n g and p r a c t i c a l detail.

7-21 Fragmentat i o n :

It is known t h a t fragmentation of o r e and w a s t e is t h e key t o other

parameters. How much f i n e o r e s h o u l d be b r o k e n , d e p e n d s on t h e appearance

 77.

of waste from the cave. As t h e o r e is costly to break it would, of course,

be d e s i r a b l e to accept a rather coarse fragmentation. However, one should

not look too seriously at the b l a s t i n g costs, but permit a fragmentation

which w i l l be most p r o f i t a b l e for the e n t i r e operation.

7.22 Sub L e v e l Interval:

One c a n f i n d f r o m t h e model tests, the best possible sub level in-

terval with normal conditions. B u t s o m e t i m e s much a t t e n t i o n has t o be given

to the irregular shape o f the orebody as w e l l as to its dip and p i t c h on

making such a d e c i s i o n .

Another factor in this regard is the ease of b l a s t i n g and fragmen-

t a t i o n of ore. Higher sub level intervals require longer drill holes which

increases the d r i l l i n g costs rapidly, especially if closer hole placing has

t o be u s e d to achieve acceptable fragmentation. Thus, there i s an e c o n o m i -

cal and a l s o p r a c t i c a l limit for each type of ore, w h i c h must n o t be exceeded.

7.23 Fan 1nclinat ion:

Optimum f a n inclination is determined which is compatible with ore

recovery, longhole drilling efficiency, safety and o t h e r operational pro-

blems .

Theoretically, 90 rings g i v e an o v e r a l l recovery which is better

compared w i t h the inclined rings. Therefore, this inclination should be

used in the first layouts. However, there seem t o be o t h e r reasons for hole

fans inclined forward 10 - 20.

Vertical rings have certain potential operational disadvantages

from the d r i l l i n g point of view; whereas, inclined holes have the advantages

as the c o l l a r i n g is done f u r t h e r away f r o m t h e o p e r a t o r and, therefore,

 78.

w a t e r and sludge do not fall d i r e c t l y onto the machine or the o p e r a t o r . It

is a l s o e a s i e r t o charge the d r i l l fan c l o s e s t t o the f r o n t i f the holes are

inclined forward as more room w i l l be a v a i l a b l e b e t w e e n t h e b a c k and the

muck p i l e . T h i s , a l s o , c r e a t e s a s t r o n g e r brow w h i c h i s most important to

have i n bad grounds.

With t h e H.W. r e t r e a t method (i.e., retreating f r o m F.W. t o H.W.),

drill footages are 20 - 25% less with inclined h o l e s compared to vertical

angles w i t h orebody dips in the range o f 6 5 . This point should be s t r o n g l y

considered i n t h e c a s e o f G r a n d u c M i n e s w h e r e t h e H.W. r e t r e a t method has

been planned.

7.2k Blast Retreat Distance:

Blast retreat distance or the b l a s t depth determined from the model

tests are only v a l i d for vertical hole fans. If inclined hole fans are to

be used, the b l a s t depth will be smaller. H o w e v e r , as s o o n as results from

the f o l l o w - u p system (Section 7-1) are obtained, the b l a s t retreat distance

should be adjusted i f necessary.

7-25 Time F a c t o r :

It i s known t h a t t i m e has certain e f f e c t s on the flow p r o p e r t i e s of

granular materials. I f the b l a s t e d column o f o r e is left unloaded f o r some

time, the s o l i d s remain under a c t i o n o f s t a t i c pressure and, t h e r e f o r e , con-

s o l i d a t e d , which reduces their flowability. Further, i f water is present,

the cohesion f o r c e s i n the b l a s t e d ore still strengthen i t , at which serious

hangups o r doming can occur. Therefore, the b l a s t s should not be left un-

loaded too long. Field investigations will be n e c e s s a r y to study this

effect in fu11.
 79.

7.26 The f o l l o w i n g a d d i t i o n a l p o i n t s may be c o n s i d e r e d w i t h a v i e w to

practical trial:

A. It has been f o u n d n e c e s s a r y , a t some m i n e s , t o reduce the fan bur-

den t o f i v e feet and t h e toe burdens t o 4,1/2 - 5 ft. d e p e n d i n g on

how " t i g h t " the p o s i t i o n is. If bigger burdens are t r i e d , it would

probably be n e c e s s a r y to d r i l l e a s e r h o l e s as shown in Figure 12.

B. One p r o b l e m t h a t arises from d r i l l i n g a l l of a s t o p e f r o m an ore

extraction drift is that there is a tendency to get "tight" corners,

or in other words, a successive narrowing of break. In a n o r m a l

longitudinal sub level caving layout (Figure 12), the c o n t a c t be-

tween t h e H.W. and t h e f a n s tends t o be t i g h t . On t h e F.W. side,

this corner i s not so t i g h t because it i s normal to d r i l l along

the c o n t a c t thus e n s u r i n g a b r e a k .

It may be p o s s i b l e t o c o n s i d e r re-orientating the fans (in plan) as

shown in Figure 13, to ease s l i g h t l y the b r e a k i n g of the ring. Alternative-

ly, but perhaps less desirably from the p o i n t of view of recovery, the fans

c o u l d be d r i l l e d in a v e e - s h a p e d normal to the f o o t w a l 1 , but a t an o b t u s e

angle to the hangingwall.

7.27 Intensity of Loading:

Loading/mucking intensity i s e x p r e s s e d as a p r o p e r r a t i o of load-

ing e i t h e r f r o m t h e F.W. or H.W. side of the e x t r a c t i o n drift. This is

extremely important in the case o f longitudinal sub level caving method. To

ensure proper f u n c t i o n i n g at the o p e r a t i n g level, i t would r e q u i r e operator

training, closer supervision and i n t r o d u c t i o n of a bonus s y s t e m b a s e d on the

quality of much p r o d u c e d rather t h a n on t h e t o t a l tons of rock removed from

the stope.
 THE HOLES FOR THE EASER
RING (BROKEN LINES) SHOULD
BE DRILLED FROM THE SAME
SET-UP AND ANGLED FORWARD
SO THAT THE COLLARS
ARE NOT DAMAGED BY THE
PREVIOUS BLAST.

; ^- - - - ^ t a ,

VERTICAL SECTION ALONG THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF EXTRACTION DRIFT SECTION I-I

FIGURE 12. LONGITUDINAL SUB L E V E L CAVING - P O S S I B L E POSITIONING OF EASER HOLES.

 81.

PLAN

FIGURE 13 . LONGITUDINAL SUB L E V E L CAVING - V E E SHAPED LONG

HOLE FANS.
 82.

.3 Comments on t h e Q u a n t i t a t i v e Design of the Stopes:

Quantitative design of bin is e a s i e r to a c h i e v e than the d e s i g n of

tope layouts for the f o l l o w i n g reasons:

1. The s l o p e s o f the hopper portion of t h e b i n c a n be d e s i g n e d accord-

ing to the f l o w p r o p e r t i e s of material it is charged w i t h . Now, in

the case of stope d e s i g n , flow properties of the ore and w a s t e rock

c a n be d e t e r m i n e d and s i d e s l o p e s for the Tr. sub level caving

stopes it may be p o s s i b l e to achieve the d e s i g n e d s l o p e on the F.W.

side only by s l a s h i n g (when t h e d e s i g n e d s l o p e c a l l e d f o r is steeper

than the d i p of the orebody) as l o n g as the s l a s h is economical

overall, whereas the maintenance of steeper s l o p e s o n t h e H.W. side

may n o t be p o s s i b l e m a i n l y b e c a u s e o f the p r o h i b i t i v e length of

longholes t o be d r i l l e d from the level b e l o w s p e c i a l l y on a s u b

level interval of 60 1
or higher.

2. C o n s o l i d a t i o n of m a t e r i a l which occurs in the bins is either caused

by t h e dead loads or due t o t h e f a l l i n g m a t e r i a l on t h e t o p o f the

bin. These c o n s o l i d a t i o n s c a n be s i m u l a t e d on t h e t e s t e d samples

for flowability tests. Whereas, the c o n s o l i d a t i n g e f f e c t of blast-

i n g may n o t be c o m p l e t e l y r e p r o d u c i b l e on t h e t e s t e d s a m p l e meant

to d e t e r m i n e the flow properties o f o r e and w a s t e in the stope.

3. In the q u a n t i t a t i v e design of bins, generally the storage and flow

of only one t y p e o f bulk s o l i d is c o n s i d e r e d whose flow properties

are determined before hand. In t h e c a s e o f a stope, especially

w h e r e b r o k e n o r e and c a v e d w a s t e rock have d i f f e r e n t flow properties,

continuous intermixing of o r e and w a s t e in the e l l i p s o i d of motion

 83.

may p r o d u c e products of variable flowability. The d e s i g n of

modern sub level s t o p i n g m e t h o d s w o u l d be c o n s i d e r e d f u l l y success-

ful only when p r o b l e m s a r i s i n g form a s p e c i a l l y changed situation

of f l o w c a u s e d by f r a g m e n t a t i o n o r m o i s t u r e c o n t e n t , e t c . , in a lay-

out designed for average c o n d i t i o n s c o u l d be d e a l t w i t h effectively

so as t o e n s u r e the e x t r a c t i o n of planned ore recoveries and w a s t e

dilutions. There is a vast scope f o r improvement w h i c h c o u l d be

brought in the d e s i g n of sub level c a v i n g m e t h o d s and its import-

ance can e a s i l y be r e a l i z e d - say f o r example, even if a 5% in-

crease in the o v e r a l l ore recoveries c o u l d be a c h i e v e d , then for

Granduc Mines a l o n e t h i s c o u l d mean an a d d i t i o n a l income o f approxi-

mately $29-0 million. (5% of approximately 36.0 m i l l i o n tons of ore

expected t o be m i n e d w i t h sub level c a v i n g methods 3

(> s a y $16.0 ore).
 84

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 85

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B i n s " , Int. J. Rock M e c h . M i n i n g S c i . 1965, V o l . 2 , P P . 25-41.

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Cases o f Flow o f B u l k S o l i d s " , J o u r n a l o f E n g i n e e r i n g f o r I n d u s t r y ,
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s i v e G r a n u l a r M a t e r i a l s Through D i s c h a r g e C h u t e s " , J o u r n a l of E n g i n -
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 86.

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 87-

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S o i l M e c h a n i c s , J o h n W i l e y & Sons I n c . , New Y o r k .

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45. Stepanoff, A . J . - " G r a v i t y Flow o f B u l k S o l i d s - Hopper Flow

Characteristic", P a p e r N o . 68-MH-34, ASME S y m p o s i u m o n F l o w o f
S o l i d s , O c t . 20-23, 1968.

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68-MH-32, ASME Symposium o n F l o w o f S o l i d s , O c t . 20-23, 1968.

47. J a n e l i d , I; a n d K v a p i l , R. - " S u b L e v e l C a v i n g " , I n t . J . Rock M e c h .

M i n . S c i . V o l . 3, P P . 129-153. Pergamon P r e s s L t d . , I966.

48. Janelid, I., and K v a p i l , R., - "Sub Level Caving Design". Unpublished
papers.

49. J u s t , G.D. - " D e v e l o p m e n t o f Sub L e v e l C a v i n g P r i n c i p l e s and M i n i n g

t h e 500 C o p p e r O r e b o d y " . Mount I s a M i n e s L t d . , Technical Report No.
R E S . M I N . - 6.

50. Just, G.D. - "Sub Level Caving Design", Mount Isa Mines L t d . ;
T e c h n i c a l Report No. RES. MIN. - 1.2

51. "Draw C o n t r o l a t Mount I s a " . M i n e P l a n n i n g Staff o f Mount Isa Mines

Ltd. A private publication.

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unpublished report.

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report.
J u b e l i n , K.R. - " S u b L e v e l C a v i n g i n Sweden and A u s t r a l i a " . The
Q u a r r y , M i n e and P i t - S e p t e m b e r , 1966.

Cox, J . A . - " L a t e s t D e v e l o p m e n t s a n d Draw C o n t r o l i n Sub L e v e l

Caving". P r i v a t e p u b l i c a t i o n o f M u f u l i r a , Zambia - September, 1 9 6 7 .
A P P E N D I X

THEORY OF MODELS
 90.
APPENDIX I

The pertinent variables considered in the a n a l y s i s of the g r a v i t y flow in

the s t o p e , a r e as follows:

VARIABLE: NOTATION DIMENSION

1. Draw Volume V L3

2. A significant distance 1 L

3. Any p e r t i n e n t distance Ai L

h. Area of the opening (free flow) A

5. Hydraulic diameter of the opening

= 4 x free area - Perimeter %

6. S p e c i f i c weight of the m a t e r i a l (dead load) w ML _ 2
T " 2

7. Average s i z e of the particle d L

8. Head o f p a c k i n g above opening H L

9. True d e n s i t y of solids A ML"3

10. Bulk density of packing A ML"3

11. Volume o f the container L 3

12. Digging depth of the scoop dd L

13. Velocity of discharge from opening v LT-'

14. Angle of internal friction 0

15. Angle of side slopes (angle of inclination

of the hopper bottom) 6

So t h e v o l u m e o f draw c o m i n g o u t of the stope is a function of:

V = f (1, A i , A, DL, W, d , H, f>s, /b, V c > d ,

d v, 0, 6) - (l)

It is t o be n o t e d that the following s i m p l i f y i n g assumptions have been

made b e f o r e proceeding with the analysis:

 91

1. No e f f e c t o f m o i s t u r e has been considered.

2. No o t h e r forces t h a n o f t h e mass o f b r o k e n r o c k a b o v e o r on t h e

sides of the stopes h a s been considered.

3. P'o o f t h e o r e a n d w a s t e i s a s s u m e d t o b e t h e same i n t h e a r e a o f

draw.

k. Consolidating pressures offered by t h e b l a s t i n g a c t i o n h a s n o t b e e n

considered.

5. Generally equal l o a d i n g o f t h e m a t e r i a l h a s b e e n done f r o m either

end o f t h e o p e n i n g f o r T r a n s v e r s e Sub L e v e l Caving Method.

From t h e t h e o r y o f m o d e l s , i f the general equation f o r the prototype is:

TTi = F (TT , 2 T7 , TTi,

3 .TT )
S - (2A)

Where a l l t h e P i (TT) terms a r e d i m e n s i o n l e s s and i n d e p e n d e n t .

Since equation (2A) i s e n t i r e l y general, it applies t o any o t h e r system

which i s a f u n c t i o n o f t h e same v a r i a b l e s . Hence, it applies to a s p e c i f i c

system c a l l e d the model.

"^Im - F ( T T
2m' TTSm. ^ m " ^ J " (2B)

An e q u a t i o n f o r p r e d i c t i n g TTi from T T ] m may be f o u n d d i r e c t l y by d i v i d i n g

equation ( 2 A ) by e q u a t i o n ( 2 B ) .

Therefore: TT, = F (TT 2 > TT3, TT M TT )

S - (2C)
TTi F (n 2 m , T T - J , TTZi TT S m )

Now, i f t h e model i s d e s i g n e d and o p e r a t e d so t h a t

TT 2 m = TT 2

(2D)
n
3 m " ^3
TT S = TT S
 92.

It f o l l o w s that:

F (TT , 2 TT3, Tlli TT )5 = F (TT 2 m TT 3 m TT S m ) - (2E)

The n a t u r e o f t h e f u n c t i o n is identical f o r t h e model a n d p r o t o t y p e because

equation (2A) i s g e n e r a l .

From e q u a t i o n (2C) a n d ( 2 E ) , i t is apparent that:

TTj = TT] ; m this 1 5

the p r e d i c t i o n equation.

Now, rewriting e q u a t i o n (1):

V = F (1, M, A, DL, W, d, H ,/=s, /b, V , c d , v,

d 0, 6) - (l)

To a p p l y dimensional analysis and t h e o r y o f m o d e l s , Equation (1) may be

written as:

Vd l c 2
A i 3 c
AC * D c5
1
h W c 6
dc7 HC8 ^ c 9 / ^ b c l O
s v 'lc

dd 12 v cl3 0cl4 e cl5 = o - (A)

The c o r r e s p o n d i n g dimensional equation is:

(L3)cl L C 2 C 3 (L2)c4 L L C 5 (ML"2 T-2) L C 7 L C 8 (ML"3)c9

(ML"3)clO (L3)cll Lcl2 (LT~1)cl3 (-)clA (-)cl5 = 0

From t h e a b o v e , the a u x i l i a r y e q u a t i o n s may be w r i t t e n a s :

(B) - M: C6 + Cg + C]0 = 0

(C) - L: 3C] + C2 + C3 + 2C/, + C5 - 2Cg + C7 + C8

- 3Cg - 3C]0 + 3 C i ] + C12 ~ C13 = 0

(D) - T: - 2C6 Ci 3 = 0

Since three equations are available for solving thirteen unknowns, arbitrary

values must b e a s s i g n e d to ten o f t h e unknowns, many c o m b i n a t i o n s a r e

possible, of t h e s e one involving: C], C3, Cz,, C5, Cfc, C7, C8, C]Q,

C11, C12 t]k> C-|5, has been selected.

The d e t e r m i n a n t of the c o e f f i c i e n t s of the r e m a i n i n g terms C2, C9 and C]3

I s:

0 1 0

1 -3 1 * 0

0 0 - 1

Since this is not equal to z e r o , the resulting equations are independent

and t h e s e l e c t i o n is valid.

Values are assigned a r b i t r a r i l y as follows:

Cl 1

C
3 0
0
c
5 0

C6 0
C
7 0

C8 0
c
10 0

Cl 1 0

C12 0

Substitute these values in equations (B), (C), (D)

Cg = 0 3a
3 + C 2 - 3Cg - C13 = 0 3b
- C 1 3 = 0 3c
From e q u a t i o n s 3a, 3b and 3c:

C 2 = "3 and f r o m a b o v e : C] = 1
 3k.

From t h i s and e q u a t i o n (A) - dropping

TT,
= v_ I
13

From t h e P i theorem, it i s seen t h a t a total of 10 P i t e r m s must be deter-

mined. Another t e r m may be f o u n d by s e l e c t i n g a d i f f e r e n t combination of

arbitrary values for the s e l e c t e d e x p o n e n t s ; for example:

Cj = 0
C 3 - 1

Cz, = 0
c 5 = 0
c 6 = 0
c 7 = 0
C8 = 0
C 1 0 = 0
Cl i = o
c 1 2 = o
Substitute above in e q u a t i o n s (B), (C), (D)

C
9 = 0 -ka

C 2 + 1 " 3Cg -C| 3 = 0 -kb

-C 1 3 = 0 -kc

From E q u a t i o n s ha, kb, kc:

C 2 = -1; and fpom a b o v e : C^ = 1

From t h i s and e q u a t i o n (A) dropping Co, or:

TTo = Ai ||
 95.

Another Pi t e r m may be f o u n d by letting Cj, = I with other selected exponents

equal led to zero:

TT3 = A_ III
12
Similarly, s e v e n more independent Pi terms a r e developed by letting C5, C5,

C8, Cg, C11, C]2 and C13 in t u r n , equal unity, with the other selected ex-

ponents equal to zero, thus:

IV

TT 5 = w.l

n
6 =
1 - VI
1

TT-, = H_ - VII
1

TT 8 = A - VIII

TTg = V c - IX
13

TT 10 = d - X
1

And a l s o f o r the d i m e n s i o n l e s s v a r i a b l e s 0, 6:

n n = 0 - XI

TT12 6 - XII

A general s o l u t i o n may, therefore, be w r i t t e n as:

V_ = F ( Ai , k_, D h , w j _ , d, H_, A, ^c, d, 0, 6) - (5)

l3 1 l 1 />s v
2 2
1 1 /s l3 1
 A P P E N D I X II

TABLES 1 and IA - RESULTS.

 T A B L E 1 (LONGITUDINAL SUB LEVEL CAVING)

LOADING
PATTERN

H.W. F.W.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
1 19 20' 60 60' 7' 1.46 1.50 G 0-125 SC = 1: 1 8736 125 125 83 59.5 NO F.W.SLASH

2 26 20' 60 60' 7' 1.68 1.60 1.35 D 0-85 SC = 0: 1 9163 132 132 134 85.0 80 F.W.SLASH

85-200 SC = 1 : 1
3 22 20' 65 60' 6' 1.68 1.60 1.35 D 0-100 SC = 1 :1 7128 100 100 130 71.0 NO F.W.SLASH

4 24 20' 65 60' 6' 1.68 1.60 1.35 D 0-120 SC = 0 :1 7980 115 115 146 86.6 90 F.W.SLASH

120-200 SC = 1::1
5 27 20' 65 60' 8' 1.68 1.60 1.35 A II II
9944 142 142 130 86.3 33-9 80 F.W.SLASH

6 27 20' 65 60' 6' 1.68 1.60 1.35 A II II

7458 106 106 127 82.6 35-4
n
7 27 20' 65 45' 8' 1.68 1.60 1.35 A
II
7216 103 103 129 80.7 37.4 1

8 27 20' 65 45' 6' 1.68 1.60 1.35 A

II II
5616 80 80 118 78.4 33-9 ..

9 27 20' 65 30' 8' 1.68 1.60 1.35 A II II

4536 65 65 123 69.O 43.9
i,
10 27 20' 65 30' 6' 1.68 1.60 1.35 A
II n
3726 52 52 120 69.4 35.5
11 28 20' 65 60' 8' 1.68 1.60 1.35 A 0-90 SC = 0::1 10048 144 144 144 90.8 37-1 85 F.W.SLASH

90-200 SC = 1::1
V* VOLUME OF HEAPED BUCKET OF SCOOP - 112 CU.FT.
N * * - DRAW F I G U R E S P L O T T E D AND COLUMNS 16, 17, 18 C A L C U L A T E D FOR N O . OF SCOOPS DRAWN 1
N 1 U3

SC - S C O O P S DRAWN.
 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
12 28 20' 65 60' 7' 1.68 1.60 1 -35 A 90-200 S C = 1::1 8732 126 126 152 90.5 4 0 . 6 85 F.W.SLASH

13 28 20' 65 60' 6' 1.68 1.60 1.35 A II II

7536 106 106 1 138 84.6 38.8 1.

14 28 20' 65 45' 8' 1.68 1.60 1.35 A 0-90 SC = 0::1 7320 105 105 137 85.0 37.8 .1

90-200 SC = 1::1

15 28 20' 65 45' 7' 1.68 1.60 1.35 A

II II
6405 92 92 140 86.3 38.2 .,

16 28 20' 65 45' 6' 1.68 1.60 1.35 A

II 11
5430 78 78 114 80.5 39.4 ..

17 28 20' 65 30' 8' 1.68 1.60 1.35 A II n

4536 65 65 124 66.3 4 6 . 5 ,,

18 28 20' 65 30' 6' 1.68 1.60 1-35 A

II II
3402 49 54 131 73-0 44.6 ,.

19 37 20' 65 60' 10' 1.56 1.56 F II II

12560 173 191 120 81.9 28.3 80 F.W.SLASH

20 37 20' 65 60' 8' 1.56 1.56 F

II n
10048 140 154 121 86.1 28.4 .1

21 37 20' 65 60' 8' 1.56 1.56 F

II II
10048 140 167 134 87.1 34.2 -
22 37 20' 65 60' 7' 1.56 1.56 F
II II
8792 121 135 121 82.3 31.8 1.

23 37 20' 65 60' 6' 1.56 1.56 F

II II
7536 103 115 125 79.7 35-9
24 37 20' 65 60' 5' 1.56 1.56 F
II II
6280 86 96 124 74.0 4 0 . 5
25 37 20' 65 45' 8' 1.56 1.56 F
II II
7520 104 115 124 83-5 3 2 . 5
26 37 20' 65 45' 6' 1.56 1.56 F
n II
5395 74 82 115 81.1 29.2 ..

27 37 20' 65 30' 8' 1.56 1.56 F

II n
5024 70 77 122 63.6 43.2 ' ,.

28 37 20' 65 30' 6' 1.56 1.56 F

II II
3360 46 51 118 66.7 43.2 ,,

23 37 20' 65 30* 5' 1.56 1.56 F

11 II
2800 39 43 120 59.3 50.5 .1

30 35 20' 65 60' 8' 1.56 1.56 E

II II
10048 140 154 112 74.9 33.0 80 F.W.SLASH

31 35 20' 65 60' 6' 1.56 1.56 E

II II
7536 104 115 113 71.2 37.1 1:20 SCALE TEST

32 35 20' 65 45' 6' 1.56 1.56 E

II II
5652 72 79 113 71.3 37.1 11 11

33 35 20' 65 30' 8' 1.56 1.56 E

II II
5024 70 77 107 54.0 49.1 11 11

34 9 30' 60 60' 8' 1.80 1.80 B 0-230 S C = 1::3 15520 199 219 13 82.5 1 8 . 0 NO F.W. SLASH
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
58 36 3 0 ' 65 30' 5' 1.56 1.56 F 0-9- SC = 0::1 4430 6.2 68 123 55.4 5 4 . 7 80 P . W . SLASH

9 0 - 2 7 5 SC = 1::1

59 25 30' 75 60' 10' 1.68 1,60 1.35 A 0-110 SC = 0::1 1691 2 242 242 132 83.5 NO F . W . SLASH

1 10-130 SC = 2:: 1

130-260 SC = 1 : : 1

60 25 30' 75 60' 8' 1.68 1.60 1.35 A II II

13529 193 193 121 87.4 27.9 ..

61 25 30' 75 45' 8' 1.68 1.60 1.35 A II II

10150 145 145 126 80.3 36.3
..

62 25 3 0 ' 75 45' 6' 1.68 1.60 1.35 A II II

7340 102 115 125 67.0 46.4 ..

63 25 3 0 ' 75 30' 8' 1.68 1.60 1.35 A II II

6757 97 97 123 52.4 57.6
.,

6' 1.60 it 72
64 25 3 0 ' 75 30' 1.68 1.35 A II
4650 65 125 52.2 5 8 . 2 1,

65 14 4 0 ' 55 60' 61
1.80 1.80 B 0-260 SC = 1::3 16260 261 261 102 73.0 28,4 .1 1.

66 1.80 1.80 n ..
14 4 0 ' 55 60' 5' B II
13550 218 218 127 6 8 . 7 4 6 . 2

67 14 4 0 ' 55 45' 6' 1.80 1.80 B II II

12198 196 196 102 75.8 25-5
.1

68 14 40' 55 45' 5' 1.80 1.80 B II II

10165 I63 I63 126 7 5 - 7 39.8 ..

1.80 108 ,.
69 14 4 0 ' 55 30' 6' 1.80 B II II
8130 131 131 81.4 24.9
70 14 40' 55 30' 5' 1.80 1.80 B II II
6775 109 109 127 81.4 35-6 .1

,,
71 13 4 0 ' 65 60' 5" 1.80 1.80 B 0-210 SC = 1::3 12450 200 200 118 74.8 36.7
72 13 40' 65 45' 8' 1.80 1.80 B II II
14888 239 239 105 8 2 . 5 21.7
11

n
73 13 4 0 ' 65 45' 7' 1.80 1.80 B II
13027 209 209 121 8 4 . 7 29.5
1,

74 13 4 0 ' 65 45' 5' 1.80 1.80 B II II

9305 131 131 115 77.6 32.1 1,

30' 1.80 1.80 n .,

75 13 40' 65 7' B II
8547 137 137 117 70.0

13 1.80 1.80 1 ,i
76 40' 65 30' 5' B II II
6105 98 98 10 6 4 . 9

77 31 40' 65 60' 10' 1.56 1.56 F 0-180 SC = 0:: 1 25450 356 392 119 90.0 25.4 80 F.W.SLASH

180-300 SC = 1 : : 1
 1 2 3 k 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
35 9 30' 60 60' 7' 1.80 1.80 B 0-230 SC = 1 : :3 13580 152 167 102 77.6 25.0 NO F . W . S L A S H
36 9 30' 60 60' 6' 1.80 1.80 B II II
11640 112 123 110 74.8 32.0 11 11

37 9 30' 60 30' 8' 1.80 1.80 B II II

7440 114 126 117 68.0 41.8 n in

38 9 30' 60 30' 7" 1.80 1.80 B

n II
6510 101 111 109 59.0 45.6 11 11

39 9 30' 60 30' 6' 1.80 1.80 B

II II
5580 86 95 108 71.0 25.0 11 11

4o 7 30' 6 5 60' 8' 1.80 1.80 B 0-260 SC = 1:: 1 14880 239 261 113 81.0 27.9 11 11

k] 10 30' 6 5 60' 8' 1.80 1.80 B 0-260 SC = 3:: 1 14880 239 261 1 10 54.7 32.3 11 11

kl 21 30' 65 60' 8' 1.68 1.60 1.35 A 0-210 SC = 1::1 14720 210 210 118 80.1 32.1 NO F . W . S L A S H
k3 21 30' 65 45' 8' 1.68 1.60 1.35 A II II
10792 154 154 117 84.7 27.7 n 11

kk 21 30' 65 k5' 6' 1.68 1.60 1.35 A II II

8145 116 128 134 84.1 37.4 n n

45 21 30' 6 5 30' 8' 1.68 1.60 1.35 A II II

6832 98 98 132 83.O 37.0 11 11

46 21 30' 6 5 30' 6' 1.86 n n 78 n

1.60 1.35 A 5045 71 132 73.4 44.2 11

kl 36 30' 65 60' 1 0' 1.56 1.56 F 0-90 SC = 0::1 19280 270 296 123 86.8 25-7 80 F.W.SLASH
90-275 SC = 1::1
36 n
48 30' 6 5 60' 9' 1.56 1.56 F II
17352 242 266 122 88.1 27.5 11 11

k3 36 30' 65 60' 8' 1.56 1.56 F

II II
15424 215 237 124 89.3 28.0 11 11

50 36 30' 65 60' 8' 1.56 1.56 F II II

15424 215 258 138 90.4 32.8 11 11

51 36 30' 65 60' 7' 1.56 1.56 F II II

13496 188 207 122 85.9 29.5 11 11

52 36 30' 65 60' 6' 1.56 1.56 F II II

11568 161 177 126 81.0 35.4 11 11

36 30' 8' 1.56 1.56 ii

53 65 H5' F
II
11252 157 173 120 73.5 39-4 n 11

5k 36 30' 65 k5' 6' 1.56 1.56 F II II

8250 115 127 123 77.5 36.8 11 11

55 36 30' 65 45' 5' 1.56 1.56 F

II II
6875 95 105 121 71.7 40.6 11 11

56 36 30' 65 30' 8' 1.56 1.56 F

II II
7499 104 115 122 57.7 53-3 11 11

57 36 30' 65 30' 6' 1.56 1.56 F

ti II
5310 74 81 124 59.9 51.9 n 11

o
o
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 13
78 31 40' 65 60' 8' 1.56 1.56 F 0-180 SC = 0::1 20720 296 314 115 90.5 21.3 80 F . W . S L A S H
180-300 SC = 1::1
79 31 40" 65 60' 8' 1.56 1.56 F 20720 296 345 134 91 .2 32.1 11 11

80 n n
31 40' 65 60' 7' 1.56 1.56 F II 11
17815 233 257 117 85-7 27.3 11

81 31 40' 65 60' 6' 1.56 1.56 F .,

1 5270 212 236 120 76.4 36.6 11 11

82 31 40' 65 45' 8' 1.56 1.56 F ,,

14976 210 230 118 84.6 31.0
83 31 40' 65 45' 6' 1.56 1.56 F 11232 156 172 111 65-8 35.6 11 11

84 31 40' 65 30' 5' 1.56 1.56 F 6100 85 94 99 45-5 53-9 11 11

85 33 50' 55 60' 8' 1.46 1.50 G SEE TABLE 6 18624 246 270 110 59-8 48.1 DRIFT 'A'

86 33 50' 55 60' 6' 1.46 1.50 G SEE TABLE 6 13968 184 203 111 62.0 50.6 DRIFT 'A'

87 33 50' 55 60' 6' 1.46 1.50 G SEE TABLE 6 673? 88 97 115 82.0 42.0 DRIFT 'B'
88 33 50' 55 60' 4' 1.46 1.50 G SEE TABLE 6 4488 59 65 110 61 .0 44.1 DRIFT 'B'

89 32 50' 70 60' 8' 1.56 1.60 F SEE TABLE 7 14120 201 221 110 77-6 23.4 DRIFT 'A'

90 32 50' 70 60' 6' 1.56 1.60 F SEE TABLE 7 10590 151 1 166 1 11 67.1 42.0 DRIFT 'A'

31 32 50' 70 60' 6' 1.56 1.60 F SEE TABLE 7 9300 106 117 110 79-8 27.4 DRIFT 'B'
92 32 50' 70 60' 4' 1.56 1.60 F SEE TABLE 7 6200 71 78 110 62.5 43.0 DRIFT 'B'

DRIFT
'A^'B'

93 33 50' 55 60' 8'-4' 1.46 1.50 23112 110 60.1

94 33 50' 55 60' 8'_6' 1.46 1.50 25356 112 65-8
95 33 50' 55 60' 6'-6' 1.46 1.50 20700 112 68.4
96 33 50' 55 60' 6'_4' 1.46 1.50 18456 111 61.7
o
 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

DRIFT
'A'-'B

97 32 50' 70 60' 8'-4' 1.56 1.60 20320 110 73.0

98 32 50' 70 60' 8'-6' 1.56 1.60 23420 110 78.4
99 32 50' 70 60' 6'-6' 1.56 1.60 19890 1 10 73-0
100 32 50' 70 60" 6'-4' 1.56 1.60 16790 110 65-3
 TABLE IA (TRANSVERSE SUB LEVEL CAVING)

LOADING
PATTERN

W.::F.W.

101 4 79 30' 10' 1.80 1.80 B 0-200 SC = 1::1 10360 167 184 113 69-8 37-9
102 4 79 30' 8' 1.80 1.80 B 8284 133 147 109 77-6 29.2
103 4 79 30' 7' 1.80 1.80 B .,
7252 120 132 108 81.8 24.8
104 4 79 30' 6' 1.80 1.80 B M
6216 102 113 109 87.3 20.1
105 4 79 30' 5' 1.80 1.80 B .. 5180 85 94 114 80.0 29-7
106 6 74 30' 8' 1.80 1.80 B .. 8912 144 158 110 80.0 27.2
107 6 74 30' 7' 1.80 1.80 B ..
7252 128 128 114 86.4 24.1
108 6 74 30' 6' 1.80 1.80 B ..
6216 101 111 111 86.6 20.0
109 6
74 30' 5" 1.80 1.80 B ..
5180 84 92 111 80.4 27.4
1 10 20 79 30' 8' 1.75 1.60 1.38 C 8272 118 118 138 83.4 39-6
11 1 20 79 30' 7' 1.75 1.60 1.38 c " 7238 103 103 138 83.7 39-4
112 20 7 9 30' 6' 1.75 1.60 1.38 c 6204 89 89 136 81.8 39.6
113 20 79 30' 5' 1.75 1.60 1.38 r, ,1 II
.170 74 74 1 ?R 77 4 40 5
114 1 1 84 30' 7' 1.80 1.80 B I.
6328 104 115 114 87.5 23.8
115 11 84 30' 6' 1.80 1.80 B .1
5424 90 99 109 89.2 18.3

V* - VOLUME OF HEAPED BUCKET OF SCOOP - 112 C U . F T .

N** - DRAW FIGURES PLOTTED AND COLUMNS 1 6 , 1 7 , 18 CALCULATED FOR NO. OF SCOOPS DRAWN ' N . 1 o
SC - SCOOPS DRAWN.
A P P E N D I X III

TABLES 2,3 AND k

 T A B L E 2.

REMARKS:

1 A NIL - 130 40 3-12 2.5 1 .22 2.56 1.6 26 66 Loosely Packed the Sample.
2 A NIL - 640 296 23.6 5.0 2.45 9.65 3.1 54 72 Vibrated the Sample.

3 B NIL - 950 530 42.4 15-0 7.35 5.76 2.4 44 67 -do-

4 B 100 3-7 820 430 34.4 11.0 5.37 6.4 2.53 46 68 Tamped t h e S a m p l e W h i l e Forming.

5 C NIL - 150 46 3.68 1.25 0.61 6.02 2.46 46 68 Vib. the Sample W h i l e Forming.
6 C 300 10.8 135 40 3-2 2.5 1 .22 2.62 1.618 26 58 -do-

7 C 300 10.8 260 80 6.4 5.0 2.45 2.62 1.618 26 58 -do- REPEAT OF '6' EXACTLY.
8 D NIL - 420 130 10.4 5-0 2.45 4.24 2.06 38 64 -do-

9 E 50 1.76 650 300 24.0 15.0 7.35 3.26 1.80 32 61 Tamped t h e S a m p l e .

10 F NIL - 640 290 23.2 10.0 4.90 4.74 2.2 40 65 Tamped t h e S a m p l e W h i l e Forming.
11 F 50 1.8 620 280 22.4 11 .0 5-38 4.16 2.04 38 64 -do-
12 F 100 3.6 810 424 34.0 10.0 4.90 6.94 2.64 48 69 -do-

13 F 200 7-2 530 206 16.5 10.0 4.90 3-37 1.84 32 61 -do-
14 F 300 10.8 300 94 7-5 10.0 4.90 1.53 1 .24 12 51 -do-
 T A B L E 3.

SIEVE ANALYSIS OF SAMPLES USED IN THE TRIAXIAL TESTS

(IN TABLE 2, OF APPENDIX III)

\ % SIEVE
100%
\ A N A L Y S 1S -0.625" -0.525" -0.371" -O.263" -0.185" -0.065" -0.0328" -0.0232" -0.0164"
TOTAL
DESCR.N. -O.0328" -0.0116" WEIGHT
OF T E S T E D N . +0.525" +0.371" +0.263" +0.185" +0.065" +0.0328" +0.0232" +0.0164" +0.0116"
IN
MATERIAL N.
GRAMS

A 40.56% 14.00% 5.92% 4.05% 0.58% 0.56% 2858.60

34.33%

B 45-74% 35.03% 11 . 2 0 % 4.06% 3.00% 0.52% 0.45% 2669.70

C 5.26% 6.62% 15-09% 17.10% 32.87% 9.70% 13.36% 2770.50

D 9-36% 13-94% 15.90% 15.12% 27-55% 7.97% 10.16% 2885-40

E 2.81% 6.22% 16.20% 18.82% 32.73% 9.52% 13.69% 2841.40

F 72.30% 11.00% 9.65% 7.05% 2772.80

 T A B L E 4.

(ORE MATERIAL USED IN MODEL)

'A' 32 65 3 1.68 1 :30 SCALE

'B 1
13 27 60 1.80 1 :30 SCALE
c 25 60.6 14.4 1.75 1 :30 SCALE

'D' 22.5 60.7 16.8 1.68 1 :30 SCALE

E 1
10.0 24.6 23.7 11.0 21.8 7-7 1 .2 1.56 1:20 SCALE

' F' 0.7 45.6 25.5 17-4 6.7 4.1 1.56 1:30 SCALE
1
G 1
27.0 13-0 25.0 25.0 10.0 1.46 1:30 SCALE
 A P P E N D I X IV

TABLE 5 " DESIGN DATA FOR THE RECOMMENDED LAYOUTS.

 T A B L E 5.
SUMMARY DESIGN DATA FOR THE RECOMMENDED LAYOUTS,

Av.
23 to
A^
As. AC tty Co
Uj Co i
X
r i A. /3 C?
- ^ Co
*NT
to
"V. NT
o\o
AC CO
to 03 Or
A?

10
A 20' 65c 60' 126 86. 28.4 0-90 SC = 0::1 80' 20
90-200 SC = 1::1
20' 65 60' 112 74.9 33.0 80 30 (1:20 SC)
30 1
65c 60' 124 89-3 28.0 0-90 SC = 0:1 80 49
90-275 SC = 1:: 1
30' 75c 60' 121 87-4 27.9 0-110 SC = 0::1 NIL 60
110-130 SC = 2::1
130-260 SC = 1
40' 65 60' 115 90.5 21.3 0-180 SC = 0::1 80' 78
180-300 SC = 1:1
50' 55c
60' 6'- 6' 112 68.5 SEE TABLE 6 80 95
50' 70' 60' 8' 110 78.4 SEE TABLE 7 80< 98

T.S.L.C. 79 30' 109 87-3 20. 1 0-200 SC 1 : :1 104

 APPENDIX IV 110.

CONFIGURATION - A

STANDARD LAYOUT FOR 20-FT. ORE BODY - F.W. ANGLE 65 (TO 75)
(ITEM NO. 20 AND 30 TABLE 1 OF APPENDIX III)

PRODUCTION JUMBO IN ORDER TO

EQUALIZE THE WORK LOAD ON TWO
BOOMS.
 111.
CONFIGURATION B

STANDARD LAYOUT FOR 30 FT. ORE BODY - F.W. ANGLE 65 (TO 75)
(ITEM NO. 49 A B L E 1 OF APPENDIX I I)
T
 112.
CONFIGURATION C

STANDARD LAYOUT FOR kO FT. ORE BODY - F. W. ANGLE 65 (TO 75)

(ITEM NO 78 TABLE 1 OF APPENDIX l l )
 113.

CONFIGURATION D

STANDARD LAYOUT FOR 50 FT. ORE BODY - F.W. ANGLE 55

(ITEM NO. 95 TABLE 1 OF APPENDIX l l )
 CONFIGURATION E

STANDARD LAYOUT FOR 50 FT. ORE BODY - F. W. ANGLE 70

( ITEM NO. 98 TABLE 1 OF APPENDIX ll)
 115.

CONFIGURATION F

STANDARD' LAYOUT FOR 20 F T . , 30 FT. AND kO FT. ORE BODY

F. W. ANGLE 75 AND ABOVE.
 116.

CONFIGURATION G

STANDARD LAYOUT FOR 20 FT., 30 FT. AND kO FT. ORE BODY -

F. W. ANGLE 55 - 65.
 CONFIGURATION H

STANDARD LAYOUT FOR TRANSVERSE SUB LEVEL CAVING

SUB LEVEL INTERVAL 30 FT. - S i p E SLOPES. 7 9
(ITEM NO 103TABLE IB OF APPENDIX I I )

16'
 . 118.
CONFIGURATION I

STANDARD LAYOUT FOR TRANSVERSE SUB LEVEL CAVING

SUB LEVEL INTERVAL 30 FT - SIDE SLOPES 79

VERTICAL SECTION ALONG THE CENTRE LINE OF THE EXTRACTION

DRIFT. FROM CONFIGURATION 'H'
 CONFIGURATION J
119.
COMPARISON OF LOADING INTENSITY

30 FT. ORE BODY - F. W. ANGLE 650

LOADING INTENSITY 3 : 1 : : F.W. : H.W.
(ITEM NO. 41 TABLE 1 OF APPENDIX II)
 CONFIGURATION K
120.

COMPARISON OF LOADING INTENSITY

30 FT. ORE BODY - F. W. ANGLE 65

LOADING INTENSITY 1:1 :: F.W. : H.W.
(ITEM NOkO TABLE 1 OF APPENDIX II)
 TABLE 6.

T e s t No. 33 (#85 t o #88 of TABLE 1)

C u m m u l a t i v e number o f scoops drawn a r e tabulated below:

DRIFT B DRIFT A

H.W. F.W. H.W. F.W.

0 - 250

251 - 350

351 - 380

TABLE 7.

Test No. 32 (#89 t o #92 of TABLE 1)

C u m m u l a t i v e number o f s c o o p s drawn a r e tabulated below:

DRIFT B DRIFT A

H.W. F.W. H.W. F.W.

0-170

171 - 290

291 - 350

351 - 360

361 - 365

366 - 370

371 - 375

376 - 380

381 - 385

386 - 390

391 - 395
396 - 400

401 - 450
 122.

APPENDIX V

FIGURE 14 Longitudinal Sub L e v e l Caving - shows s e q u e n c e o f draw

with s i n g l e e x t r a c t i o n d r i f t on e a c h s u c c e s s i v e sub

level. Ore body w i d t h 20', S . L . I . = 60', F.W. angle 65

and F.W. slash 80.

(PP 120 t o 124)

FIGURE 15 Longitudinal Sub L e v e l C a v i n g - shows s e q u e n c e o f d r a w

with two e x t r a c t i o n d r i f t s on a s u b l e v e l . Orebody w i d t h

50', S . L . I . = 60', F.W. a n g l e 55 and F.W. slash 80.

(PP 125 t o 127)

 126.

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 131.
A P P E N D I X VI

DETAILED GEOLOGY

Granduc M i n e s ' o r e o c c u r s in long, irregular conformable tabular bodies

with an a v e r a g e w i d t h o f kQ', combined s t r i k e length of 3,500' a n d v e r t i c a l

e x t e n t o f about 2,500'. These l e n s e s a r e composed o f s t r i n g e r s and d i s -

seminations of p y r r h o t i t e , chalcopyrite and m a g n e t i t e . They l i e in a

series o f weakly metamorphosed and s t r o n g l y folded phyllonites (silicious

metasediments), i n a g r o u p c a l l e d t h e m i n e member, w h i c h i s about 500'

t h i c k between the a n d i s i t i c footwall and t h i n lime stone hanging wall,

which i s s u c c e e d e d by a l t e r e d greywackes. The s t r u c t u r a l ore control is

folds, faults and s h e a r e d crumpled zones.

The o r e b o d i e s are generally d i p p i n g a t 70 a l t h o u g h some p a r t s dip at

50 - 55 a n d o t h e r s a t 90. Thick portions in " C " orebody a r e up t o 120

feet wide, whereas t h e wings of " C " orebody a n d o t h e r A , B a n d B] o r e b o d i e s

vary between 15 f e e t t o 50 f e e t in width. A l m o s t 50% o f t h e t o t a l minable

tonnages i n N o . 1 M i n i n g Zone a r e t i e d up i n t h i n portions.

Geological pre reserves (1966) a r e 43 x lo6 t o n s a t a v e r a g e ].73% c u .

With 10% d i l u t i o n , o r e r e s e r v e s are approximately h7 x 106 t o n s a t 1.49% c u .

A typical s e c t i o n and p l a n o f t h e o r e b o d i e s a r e a t t a c h e d on P a g e 132.

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