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    VCR Assisted Block Caving

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
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    11 views9 pages

    VCR Assisted Block Caving

    Uploaded by

    garves007
    VCR Assisted Block Caving

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
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    GRANGER, OP, VCR assisted block caving—a viable fue for Kimberley Mins. MASSMIV 92, Jbannesburg, SAIMM, 1992, pp 11-19, VCR-assisted Block Caving—a Viable Future for Kimberley Mines Q.P. GRANGER De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd, Kimberley, South Africa Kimberley Mines, which are owned by De Beers Consolidated Mines in association with Anglo American Diamond Division, comprise 4 mines: De Beers, Dutoitspan, Bultfontein, and Wesselton Mines. ‘The occurrence of a number of mud ‘pushes’ at De Beers Mine during 1986 to 1988 led to a drastic reduction in production. To alleviate the problem, a combination of the vertical crater retreat (VCR) and block-caving mining methods were introduced. This was the first use of VCR mining in the diamond industry. This combined method, known as VCR-assisted block caving, allowed the mine to continue operating until late 1990, The VCR test stope highlighted a number of productivity and cost benefits that are enumerated in this paper. ‘The remaining three mines at Kimberley Mines have experienced the following major problems in the past two years + the collapse of the sub-level cave at Bultfontein Mine + the flooding of Dutoitspan Mine + mud occurrences at Wesselton Mine associated with extremely poor ground conditions. ‘This has necessitated a major reconsideration of the mining strategy for these mines, resulting in a change from sub-level caving to the VCR method. The implementation of a successful VCR programme at Kimberley Mines will provide a viable and safe mining method for the futur. Introduction ‘The discovery of diamonds at Kimberley in the middle of the eighteenth century caught the world’s attention. Miners and adventurers from all over the world joined the rush to the banks of the Orange River. The primary source of diamonds—the diamond pipes—were discovered only later. Mining operations at Bultfontein Mine started in 1869, followed by Dutoitspan Mine a year later and by De Beers Mine and Kimberley Mine in 1871 and, finally, by Wesselton Mine in 1891. These mines today comprise Kimberley Mines, which are owned by De Beers Consolidated Mines in association with Anglo American Diamond Division. The mines have developed during their hundred-year lives from a chaotic scramble to a sophisticated underground mining operation utilizing ‘modern massive-mining methods. De Beers Mine is the smallest of the four Kimberley ‘mines, and in 1989/90 produced about 1500 t per day. The ‘mine was started in May 1871 and operated as an opencast mine until 1881, when underground work started in the form of chambering. In 1908, the mine was closed because of a depression in the diamond market, but was re-opened in 1961. A block-caving method was developed and used ‘until 1979, when sub-level caving (SLC) was introduced, ‘The SLC mining method was used successfully until 1985, when mud problems in the workings seriously affected production. During 1986, the mud problem worsened and necessitated complete re-establishment of production levels, with a resultant loss of drilled ore ‘The succession of country rock and the mining methods used at De Beers are shown in Figure 1 An alternative mining method was required that would provide a means of holding back the mud. In November 1986, vertical crater retreat (VCR) mining was considered, and the go-ahead was given for a hybrid of this method and block-cave stoping, known as VCR-assisted block-cave mining. ‘This paper deals with the introduction of the VCR test slope at De Beers Mine, the problems encountered, and the results achieved. It also discusses the situation at the three other Kimberley Mines and their changeover to VCR stoping in the light of the lessons learnt at De Beers Mine Sub-level Cave Mining Sub-levels were installed at 15 m intervals and were interconnected by ramps at 10 degrees to the horizontal, Drill drives on cach sub-level were developed across the orebody from the access tunnels located in the country rock. These drives were 3,5 m wide and 3,5 m high, and spaced at 10 m centres. Blasting rings, consisting of 57 mm diameter holes drilled in the shape of a fan, were located at right angles to the drives. The rings had a burden of 1,6 m, and the holes had a toe spacing of 2m, A slot tunnel was cut on the furthest contact from the access tunnel between the kimberlite and the country rack. The fan rings were then blasted into the slot, with mining retreating across the pipe. Loading and transporting of the fragmented ore was undertaken by diesel and electric Joad-haul-dump units to an ore-pass system. De Beers Mine has a surface area of 28 ha, which acts as f catchment for the rainfall and channels it into the open ‘mine. As mining has progressed deeper, the pipe has filled MAIN SHAFT SUB LEVEL CAVE ana Lem 500 VERTICAL CRATER RETREAT Figure 1, Schematic section through De Beers Mine, illustrating the mining methods and the succession of country rock: with approximately 400 m of remnant kimberlite and waste rock from erosion of the sidewalls of the pit. Large pockets ‘of mud have formed in this overburden, and this mud has found its way into the workings in the form of ‘mud pushes’. Prior to the mud problems encountered di pushes had been experienced on several 1986, mud '535 m level of the West SLC block. These were contained by retreating the mining face rapidly, thus exposing fresh dy ground from above. The upper levels of the SLC were achieved, which, with hindsight, probably exacerbated the problem, ‘The first hint of mud occurred on $60 m level towards the end of 1985, when a push of very muddy water occurred. At the end of 1985, difficulties were being experienced in maintaining production from 575 m level since all the Toading points had become very wet, reducing the available tonnage for loading, owing to the imminent danger of a ‘mud push, ‘This situation continued for the first quarter of 1986, and production targets were not met. During the remainder of resources were concentrated on establishing new production areas and re-establishing those affected by mud. Strict loading limits were set in the affected areas, but there were still signs of mud mixed with kimberlite, and many fan holes were seen to be very wet Even as late as August 1988, serious mud pushes were being encountered. One particular mud push occurred on {635 m level, flooding the access tunnel and blocking the ramp to 650 m and 620 m levels. The continuing occurrence of mud necessitated a change in mining method for the following reasons. + The average tonnage produced had deteriorated from 10 per cent below target in the early part of 1986 to 40 per cent below target in the latter part of the year (Figure 2), + It was impossible to handle the wet material through the ground-handling system in that the mud caused the passes to hang up, and the screens and chutes to become blocked. + Loading of the mud was difficult since it was a mixture of wet fine material and large boulders. The ground had to be dumped into neighbouring excavations to allow it to dry out before being tipped into the orepass system, + Whenever a mud push occurred, the previously drilled fan holes were lost, and the drilled ore reserves had to be re-established. + Slot passes to provide a new free face were raised by hand-held machines, and there was a danger that a further mud push would entrap the machine crew. + The difficult mining method affected morale negativel VCR Mining at De Beers Mine ‘ly, 650 m level had been a sample level, consisting of three tunnels driven across the orebody. It was from this, level that the long down holes of 70 m were drilled. The collection level for the broken ground was located on 720 m level. Scraper drifts, 4,0 m wide and 3,5 m high, were aessaues BB 2 pecumnn ESD on are Figure 2, Production at De Beers Mine developed across the orebody and lined with 850 mm of, cconcrete to withstand the pressure of the broken ground. ‘The blasted ground passed through cones into these scraper drifts and then via a transfer gully into the two ore passes. ‘The VCR test stope is shown in Figures 3 and 4, Large-diameter Long-hole Drilling An Ingersoll Rand model CMM2 down-the-bole (DTH) rig ‘was used to drill 165 mm diameter holes from 650 m level Figure 5). Split sings, ie. alternate hols offset, were used to accommodate the concentration of drill holes in a ring. ‘The toe spacing of the drill holes was 4,3 m with a burden of 5.0 m. A high degree of drilling accuracy was required from the machine to keep the e-

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