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2004 Status of Draw Control Practice and Waste Management at CDM - Van Hout Et Al
2004 Status of Draw Control Practice and Waste Management at CDM - Van Hout Et Al
Abstract
Cullinan Diamond Mine (previously known as Premier Mine) currently employs two mechanized block caves and plans
another extraction level at approximately 900 m below surface. As with all major block cave operations, challenging
situations and difficult events occurred during the implementation phase, unforeseen throughout the project feasibility
study. The panel caves in the kimberlite pipe have experienced problems of various types that caused deviations from the
original planned mining sequences. In combination with (the traditional) production pressures, numerous problems
resulted in not achieving good Draw Control practice. A drastic change to the weekly Draw Control planning was
introduced with the buy-in from production personnel and mine management. In conjunction with the improved Draw
Control practice, an innovative but simple waste determination process has been developed and implemented. Both the
Draw Control and the Waste Management at Cullinan Diamond Mine are currently based on ‘back to basics’ principles,
straightforward and not controlled (yet) by impressive computer programs. This paper describes some of the geotechnical
and practical related difficulties that were encountered during the implementation phase and how those were tackled with
varying degrees of success. The importance and impact of Draw Control and Waste Management on the overall mine
performance is illustrated.
1 INTRODUCTION risks dictating Draw Control at many other sites are not
discussed.
Cullinan Diamond Mine (previously called Premier Mine)
started mining diamonds in 1903. The kimberlite pipe, the 2.1. Avoid premature gabbro dilution
largest in South Africa is cut by a flat dipping 75 m thick Draw Control is very crucial in avoiding early ingress of
gabbro sill at approximately 400 m below surface, shown in the overlying gabbro waste as this premature dilution would
figure 1, together with the position of current mining blocks. reduce the overall ore recovery and shorten the life of cave.
Mining above the sill was initially open cast mining, later Right from the Feasibility Study stage for BA5 and BB1E
long hole benching (early 60’s) and block caving (late 60’s). onwards, fragmentation of the kimberlite was predicted to
Below the sill, resources in the BA5 and BB1E mining blocks be coarse and that of the overlying gabbro sill to be fine
are currently exploited by retreat panel caving. BA5 and (Rood and Bartlett, 1994).
BB1E presently have a combined production of At Cullinan Diamond Mine, it is anticipated that a recovery of
approximately 13,000 tons per day. In BA5, mining started 85 percent of the in situ ore can be achieved if proper Draw
in 1988; 130 m below the gabbro sill and this mining block Control is exercised. Poor draw practice results in a much lower
has a current life of mine until 2005. It is anticipated that the ore recovery rate as drawpoints will be forced to close earlier
BB1E, where production started in 1996 approximately 230 than anticipated for two possible reasons. Firstly, cut-offs due
m below the sill, will cease operations in 2009. In 2005, the the influx of gabbro into the drawpoints adjacent to ‘overdrawn’
mine plans to start producing kimberlite ore from the BB1E drawpoints occurs much earlier than planned. Secondly,
Advanced Undercut Cave providing interim tons until the inconsistent draw practice stimulates migration of material over
Centenary Cut (previously referred to as C-Cut) commences considerable vertical and horizontal distances, inducing the
mining at approximately 900 m below surface and starts premature mixing of waste with ore, especially as gabbro
production in 2009. fragments are fine and would thus move through the column
Draw Control in the current block caves BA5 and BB1E quickly, (Bartlett, 1998). To compound matters, it was found that
has always been regarded as strategic (Rood & Bartlett, the kimberlite fines percentage (a function of kimberlite
1994, Bartlett & Nesbitt, 2000, Nesbitt & Vorster, 2000). A accelerated weathering) was underestimated at the time of
great deal of effort and capital have been spent over the initial block cave feasibilities in the mid 80’s (BA5) and early
years on infrastructure, computer programs and other tools 90’s (BB1E).
to monitor the drawn volumes from the cave blocks. There
are several reasons to understand why Draw Control is 2.2. Minimise gabbro into plant headfeed
considered important, not only at Cullinan Diamond Mine The gabbro not only sterilises the drawn ore but also
but also at most caving operations worldwide. causes problems at the Dense Media Separator in the
diamond recovery plant due to its high specific density.
2 VITAL REASONS FOR DRAW CONTROL
2.3. Reduce risk of ore recompaction
Cullinan Diamond Mine hasn’t experienced serious mud Lack of good Draw Control results in static columns of
rushes or seismicity and therefore these two supplementary cave rock, resulting in ore re-compaction, generating point