Underground Mine Construction (UMC)

Dr. Peter K. Kaiser, P.Eng., F.CAE, F.EIC
R&D Program Director

Purpose

This program will support projects for underground construction utilizing both conventional drill and blast as well as mechanical excavation, with focus on four key aspects:

• Speed and quality of underground infrastructure construction including shaft sinking and tunneling logistics;
• Development and design of innovative support methods for different excavation systems including prototype development and testing;
• Reliable prediction of rock behaviour to properly select and implement construction technologies including effective, advanced ground characterization procedures;
• Use of smart (observational) approaches when working with the rockmass to minimize risks and uncertainties including feedback processes to facilitate flexibility in matching construction to conditions encountered in complex ore bodies.

In this manner, CEMI will establish excellence in underground mine development for new, large mines, focus on ground control issues to facilitate the implementation of new and mechanized technologies, and develop innovative ground control means for mining at depth.

Value Proposition

Transition from open pit mines to underground operations for one mining company alone requires on average 5 shafts and over 80km of tunnels per year. While technological advances facilitate higher drilling speeds, overall advance rates are dropping.

Time is money! Increasing development rates can add hundreds of millions to NPV.

For pre-operational development - new mines - mechanized excavation technologies are under development for both shaft and tunnel advance with target speeds of >10m/day. Ground control plays a key role in ensuring successful application of these step-function technologies. CEMI is committed to R&D in support of innovative support systems.

Project Listing / Description

1. Ground control in mechanized excavations: Shafts and Tunnels
2. Strength determination for deep ore bodies based on borehole information (laboratory, borehole breakouts, etc.)
3. Development of innovative support systems for rapid installment (mesh replacement).
4. Back-analysis of deep Alpine tunnels
5. Strainburst control with rock support and distressing
6. Pillar design at depth

Sub-Project Listing

1. Dec'09: Reports on strainburst potential in mechanized excavations at depth and support requirement for rapid shaft advance rates
2. Feb'10: Completed shaft boring gripper stability analysis
3. April'10: Guidelines for shaft support, support in mechanized excavations
4. Dec'10: Innovative support systems for rapid development techniques
5. Dec'10: Methods for rock mass strength determination for mining at depth

Current Funding

• Rio Tinto financial commitment for 2009 and 2010
• Currently moving into field testing with horizontal development (2011)

Work under this program is exclusive to program sponsors and partners only.

Team Members

The current program sponsoring mining companies are Rio Tinto (lead sponsor), Xstrata Nickel and Vale Inco with Ontario Government leveraged funding.

Collaborating organizations include Itasca U.S.; Herrenknecht; Wirth; Atlas Copco; ROWA Logistics, Swiss Railway, MIRARCO and Laurentian University, Universities of Toronto and Arizona, UBC, University of Dalian, Colorado School of Mines, others TBD.

Join our Global Network of Industry Experts!
Learn more about the benefits of becoming a CEMI member!
www.miningexcellence.ca/team/membership/