The Block Caving method is an example of these methods, which is similar to surface mining methods in terms of production, in which the cost of production is low. Block caving is described by Laubscher [ 1 ] as the lowest cost underground mining method provided that the extraction layout is designed to suit the caved material and the draw ...
Block caving is an extreme case of sublevel caving in which instead of a back of ore 5 to 10 ft. thick, one 50 ft. thick is undermined and allowed to cave. The method is illustrated in Fig. 7. After the bottom of the block, or panel, is cut up into pillars by drift's and cross drifts, the pillars are robbed, and then the remaining stumps are ...
The mine has moved and milled as many as 22,000 tonnes of ore in a single day and routinely extracts 18,500 from Canada's only block cave. Like other prolific block caves, New Afton enjoys enviable efficiency at extremely low operating costs. But the mine has also had to conquer one of the biggest block cave challenges: mud rush.
The Block Cave Mining Method. Block caving is a large-scale underground mining method applicable to the extraction of low-grade, massive ore bodies. With the amount of literature available on block caving this report identifies the need to provide a simple understanding of the process. Understanding a production process of a block cave mine is ...
Block cave mining is an underground mass mining method that allows for the bulk extraction of large, relatively lower- grade ore deposits with substantial vertical dimension. In block caving, a large section of ore is initially undercut by drilling and blasting, creating a large unsupported roof that will start to collapse under its own weight ...
The method is an attractive alternative when planning to develop a new mine, or to extend the life of an open pit operation. More and more mining companies are exploring block caving as it becomes increasingly difficult to find high quality orebodies close to the earth's surface.
Block caving is a mining method that relies upon natural forces to break the rock. The cave is initiated by an undercut where a large area beneath the mining block is removed; gravity induced stresses then develop within the rock, causing it to fracture. The fracturing process is progressive and affects the entire rock mass overlying the undercut.
Mining Method : Block Cave. 5 Mining Orebodies & Sequences. 6 What and Why Block Caving? What : Block (gravity) caving is a bulk underground mining method, which allows large low-grade deposits to be mined underground. This method involves undermining the orebody to make it collapse
Since tomorrow I really excited to learn about block caving mining, because a day before, we have an interesting meeting with President Director Rio Tinto Indonesia. Actually, the meeting not only discussed about mining method, generally it was discussing about mining policy in Indonesia. Well, I realize my knowledge in mining sector is very shallow.…
Block caving is the most cost effective and productive underground mining method for massive ore bodies. The feasibility, design and continuous production of the block caving method depend on key parameters related to the geological and geotechnical characteristics of the ore body.
In underground mining, block caving is the only method with the costs comparable to surface mining methods, especially open pit mining. A switch from open pit mining to block caving mining could ...
8.4.2a Block Caving. This method, which was developed in the U.S. after WW I, is well suited for mining in weak orebodies. Panels or blocks of ore are undercut. Once undercut, the weak orebody begins to cave under its own weight. The caved ore is drawn off through draw points.
The Block 5 Conceptual Study was started in 1991 rocussing on the use or a Block Cave mining method. This study was reinitiated in 2000 by a continuation study and in 2002 a full conceptual team was established and the study reinitiated. (Murray et ai, 2003) This Conceptual ...
Caving Underground Mining Methods (longwall, Sublevel caving, & Block caving) 1. This material is intended for use in lectures, presentations and as handouts to students, and is provided in Power point format so as to allow customization for the individual needs of course instructors.
Characteristics. (1) Caving mining method no longer divides the ore block into ore rooms and pillars, but takes the whole ore block as a stoping unit, and carries out continuous single-step stoping according to a certain sequence. (2) In the stoping process, the surrounding rocks are naturally or forcibly caved, and the ore is drawn in direct ...
Sublevel Caving 1.png. Sublevel Caving is one of the most advanced mining methods. This method is usually undertaken when mining the orebody through an open pit is no longer economically viable. In Sublevel Caving, mining starts at the top of the orebody and develops downwards. Ore is mined from sublevels spaced at regular intervals throughout ...
The mine is estimated to contain 17.2 billion pounds of copper and 14.1Moz of gold in recoverable reserves. Mining and ore processing for the Grasberg Block Cave mine. Underground block caving method, involving undercut and drawbell blasting, is employed …
Block caving is an underground hard rock mining method that involves undermining an ore body, allowing it to progressively collapse under its own weight. It is the underground version of open pit mining. In block caving, a large section of rock is undercut, creating an artificial cavern that fills with its own rubble as it collapses.
block caving mining methods and the threats to the draw horizon in these operations are described. Mining methods Typical layouts for trackless and slusher block caving systems are described by Owen and Guest (1994) and Hartley (1981) and are shown in Figures 1 and 2. The essential features of block caving systems are: a draw horizon or ...
Block caving is a new alternative method of developing new mines or extending the operation of open pits. Block caving is an underground hard rock mining method that involves undermining an ore body, allowing it to progressively collapse under its own weight. It is the underground version of open pit mining.
The Block Cave Mining Method Management Essay. Block caving is a large-scale resistance excavation method applicable to the extraction of low-grade, monolithic ore organic structures. With the sum of literature available on block undermining this study identifies the demand to supply a simple apprehension of the procedure.
Block Cave Mining Techniques. The most commonly used cave mining technique is block caving. Block caving is a large-scale mining method that is particularly useful for mining low-grade or disseminated ore bodies which are at too great a depth to be exploited through open-cast mining.
This course is for anyone concerned with block caving operations. It provides a general introduction to a mining method that is becoming increasing popular as we are forced to mine more and more massive, low-grade deposits. The course covers advantages and disadvantages, basic elements of block caving, design issues, the undercut level, the extraction level, haulage and ventilation, safety ...
Block caving-A new mining method arises. Block caving is a new alternative method of developing new mines or extending the operation of open pits. Block caving is an underground hard rock mining method that involves undermining an ore body, allowing it to progressively collapse under its own weight. It is the underground version of open pit mining.
Despite the long lead time required ahead of an investment decision and the high capital investment required to establish a caving mine, the current cave mining techniques of block, panel and sublevel caving are presently the only viable underground mining methods that can be used to extract large, deep, lower-grade ore deposits in harsh ...
Block caving is an underground mining method that uses gravity to exploit massive, steeply dipping orebodies located at depth, particularly those with disseminated mineralisation or that are low-grade in nature, but too deep to be extracted using open pit methods. Block
Block caving is an underground hard rock mining method that involves undermining an ore body, allowing it to progressively collapse under its own weight. It is the underground version of open pit mining. In block caving, a large section of rock …
Mining Method. The most viable way to recover the ore body is by a well-established underground mining method called block caving. Block caving is safe, environmentally sound, and cost-effective for mining a large, deep orebody. In block caving, a large section of ore is initially undercut by drilling and blasting, causing it to collapse under ...
The current concept involves a 7.5-km-long access decline leading to four production levels, with block caving being used to produce 140,000 mt/d of ore. And in the U.S., the possibility of mining below the existing Bingham Canyon pit raises the prospect of extending the mine's life beyond 2050.
