3-D discontinuum numerical modeling of subsidence incorporating ore extraction and backfilling operations in an underground iron mine in China

Gang Huang, Pinnaduwa H.S.W. Kulatilake, Srisharan Shreedharan, Sijing Cai, Hongqing Song

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

An underground iron mine in China has been used as a case-study to research the subsidence due to ore extraction and backfilling during open stoping operations. A 3-D discontinuum numerical model was built incorporating geologic complexities including faults and interfaces between different lithologies, and the stoping and backfilling sequence adopted from the mine plans. The stoping was carried out in two vertically stacked horizontal layers, with a total of 16 stopes. Large displacements of up to 50 cm were observed along the roof of the stopes, and a maximum surface subsidence of 22.5 cm was observed. Backfilling was found to eliminate subsequent displacements and subsidence. The extraction of the upper orebody was found to influence displacements in the lower orebody. Finally, a subsidence profile was constructed to show the subsidence at all locations along the length of the surface and region of influence on the surface.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)191-201
Number of pages11
JournalInternational Journal of Mining Science and Technology
Volume27
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2017

Keywords

  • Backfill
  • Discontinuum numerical modeling
  • Open stoping
  • Subsidence
  • Underground iron mine

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Geochemistry and Petrology

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