Application of Effective Ground Control Management at Tanco Mine

Wen Wu, Wentzel Coetzer, Scott Rankmore

In the proceedings of: GeoOttawa 2017: 70th Canadian Geotechnical Conference; 12th joint with IAH-CNC

Session: Rock Mechanics III

ABSTRACT: Underground operations have been ongoing over 50 years at Tantalum Mining Corporation of Canada Limited (Tanco). The mine recently focused on extracting cesium ore from two distinct zones in the underground workings. The zones are called the East and West mining zones. A room and pillar mining method was applied at Tanco and is still the preferred option. The mine had significant falls of ground (FOGs). This has forced management to reconsider the approach from before and be more practice in predicting challenge ground conditions. Moreover, the mine has adopted a zero mindset philosophy. Management firmly believes that zero accidents are possible and has driven the message strongly. This has also led to the implementation of a world-class ground control management and monitoring plan at the Tanco operation. The plan includes the following aspects: 1) Ground characteristics involved in assessing ground condition and determining support requirements using rockmass classification; 2) 3D numerical modelling used for assessing pillar vertical stress, roof movement and mining stability; 3) Mining practice emphasized on control of peak particle velocity (PPV) with regard to explosive charge weight per delay (kg); 4) Monitoring was implemented to verify the stability of the roof and pillars; 5) Optimization of dimensions of stopes and pillars with respect to support. 6) A comprehensive visual inspection plan All these aspects consist of elements in which ground control is successfully achieved at the mine. Key words: Effective ground control, ground characteristics, modelling, PPV, monitoring

RÉSUMÉ: Ouest. La action de chambres et piliers que Tanco a utilisée au cours des années reste la technique de contrôle des pressions sous-terraines était nécessaire. La mine opère avec la philosophie de zéro blessure/zéro ème classe mondiale de gestion et surveillance pour le contrôle des pressions sous terraines. s principaux éléments suivants : 1) besoins en se servant de la classification de masse rocheuse. 2) contrainte verticale dans les piliers, les mouvements 3) (kg) pendant the minage. 4) La surveillance a été mise en place pour vérifier la stabilité du toit de la mine et des piliers. 5) 6) teindre nos objectifs de créer un programme efficace de contrôle des pressions sous-terraines.

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