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      Inferred Weak Rock Mass Classification for Stope Design

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      FORSTER-THESIS.pdf (44.12Mb)
      Date
      2013-08-14
      Author
      Forster, Karina
      Type
      Thesis
      Degree Level
      Masters
      Metadata
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      Abstract
      Empirical design methods are commonly used for rock mechanics evaluations. An appropriate method of rock mass classification is required to use these empirical methods. There are limitations for rock mass classification methods when access to the ore zone is restricted. The Cameco Corporation Eagle Point Mine in northern Saskatchewan, Canada, uses the longhole open stope mining method for the recovery of uranium ore. The Modified Dilution graph is used for the prediction of stope hanging wall dilution. The mine currently uses a rock mass classification based on an estimate of the alteration and strength of a rock mass from geological drift mapping. Since this method is highly subjective, point load testing of diamond drill hole core was completed to attempt to correlate the alteration and strength of different rock types to remove the user subjectivity. The results of the testing indicated a general trend of decreasing rock strength with increasing alteration, albeit with considerable scatter. A repeatable, standardized method of evaluating the stope geometry and inferred rock mass classification for reconciliation purposes was developed. The standardized stope evaluation method removes significant subjectivity currently involved in estimates of stope geometries and the magnitude of dilution. A new lithology based method for interpreting the mine specific geological alteration and strength classification system was developed based on several sources of rock mass classification observations. This resulted in a correlation linking individual rock mass property descriptions between different classification systems for an improved estimate of the Q’ classification value. This improved method of estimating the rock classification Q’ value, as well as conventional techniques for linking classification systems, was used in a stope reconciliation process to predict open stope dilution. Twenty-seven stope reconciliation case histories were documented and used to compare predicted and measured dilution, based on three different approaches for estimating rock mass classification values. The results showed a minor improvement in dilution prediction using the approach developed in this study. The systematic stope reconciliation and rock mass classification approach did highlight areas in the weak pegmatoidal rocks where improved rock classification estimates should be investigated.
      Degree
      Master of Science (M.Sc.)
      Department
      Civil and Geological Engineering
      Program
      Civil Engineering
      Supervisor
      Milne, Douglas M.
      Committee
      Hawkes, Christopher; Ferguson, Grant
      Copyright Date
      July 2013
      URI
      http://hdl.handle.net/10388/ETD-2013-07-1131
      Subject
      Rock mass classification
      Weak rock mass
      Dilution
      Longhole open stope design
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