Underground Mine Construction (UMC)
Dr. Peter K. Kaiser, P.Eng., F.CAE, F.EIC
Rio Tinto Centre for Underground Mine Construction (RTC-UMC)
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.
Solution Team Members
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.
Current Funding
- Rio Tinto financial commitment of $10M from 2010 throught 2015
- CEMI patron and leverage funding (Vale, Xstrata Nickel, Ontario Government).
Work under this program is partially exclusive to program sponsors and partners.