Rio Tinto Centre for Underground Mine Construction

Dr. Peter K. Kaiser, P.Eng., F.CAE, F.EIC

CEMI continues to actively engage industrial partners through project participation. The recent establishment of the Rio Tinto Centre for Underground Mine Construction at CEMI demonstrates CEMI's suitability to assist in the development of innovative support systems as well as minimizing risks for such technologies through its outstanding track record in building successful solution teams. Rio Tinto is investing $10 million dollars over the next five years (November 25, 2010 announcement) to undertake strategic research at the Centre. The Sudbury Centre becomes the fifth Centre Rio Tinto has initiated to aid in advancing strategic aspects of their business.

Rio Tinto is placing focus on its Mine of the Future (TM) programme, conducting research into mechanized excavation, consisting of both shaft boring systems (SBS) and tunnel boring systems (TBS). Rio Tinto selected CEMI as the agent for collaborative research leadership in support of high speed construction associated with the SBS and TBS systems in underground mine construction where the Centre will undertake research with respect to ground and machine performance.

For pre-operational development - new mines - mechanized excavation technologies are under development for both shaft and tunnel advance with target advance rates >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.

With the establishment of the RTC-UMC CEMI will:

• expand its Research and Development programs along with its global reach;
• expand its solution teams for research related to the implementation of mechanized tunneling and shaft sinking technologies;
• Manage field trials of innovative technologies with horizontal (starting in 2011) and vertical development (starting in 2012);
• Deliver 10 to 20 work packages associated with the Centre mandate;
• Undertake complementary studies to facilitate application of findings to Canadian Mines.

Related Projects

1. Ground control in mechanized excavations: shafts and tunnels
2. Strength determination for deep ore bodies based on borehole information
3. Development of innovative support systems for rapid installment
4. Strainburst control with rock support and de-stressing
5. Pillar design at depth

Team Members

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

Collaborating organizations include Itasca U.S.; Herrenknecht AG; Aker 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.

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