Northparkes Findings Flashcards
What is the highes fatalities by mine type and sector
underground metaliferous
What is the role of geotechnical professionals
they play an important role in underground mines as either in house experts and or external consultants
What are the events that continue to happen unforunately in the industry
low probability/ high consequence
What is the responsibility of geotechnical engineers
it is the moral and professional responsibility to engineer these out of the industry to the best of our abilities
What should the height of the air gap be in a block cave
The airgap is between the top of the muckpile of broken ore and the overlying caveback and should be minimised within practical limits for reasons of safety and operational control
How much ore should ideally be taken from the undercut?
only enough to remove the swell so the ore remains choked up to stop upwards propagation.
Where was the airblast path out in the northparkes mine
*through the muckpile below
*out to the surface
*through level 1 drive
What was needed to prevent the airblast
choking of the ore with an airgap less than 40 m to prevent caving to the surface
Why was airblast not assessed in the 1 level situation
it was assumed that the bulkhead would protect
What were some key issues with the bulkhead
it was too small given the size of the airgap and it was to close to the edge of the caveback so located in the wrong place. It also had a door to it that was always open
What are the key geotechnical considerations for caving
*rock mass characteristics
*mine design approaches
*principles of rock failure
What is it critical a geotechnical engineer understands
the range of potential engineering mechanisms that can affect rock failure
What are the three distinct zones to a block cave
*initial zone - until muckpile in min recommended height
*intermediate zone - caving conditions approach steady state
*surface proximity zone - potential interaction of stope caveback and approaching ‘free surface’
