Operational risk associated with Cave Mining

Question 1

main factors

Answer 1

• loss of life
• close mine or section of the mine
• rockbursts
• air blast
• mud rushes/floods

Question 2

rockbursts

Answer 2

• Spontaneous violent fracture of rock
• Stresses increase as undercut is developed
• Bursts occur with cave propagation
• Common area is 20-40m from cave face/font and 100m below the cave

Question 3

air blasts

Answer 3

result of rapid collapse of rock into an underground void.
air is compressed and forced through openings/muckpile and then through the loosening caving mass until it reaches the surface

• A gab between the muckpile and cave block
• Large volume of cave back must be unstable
• Air escape routes

Question 4

mud rushes

Answer 4

• Loss of life, loss of mine, production loss
• 3D principles
o Distance: keep mud forming material out of muck pile
o Drain: keep muck piles dry
o Draw: good draw control standards