DRIEFONTEIN GOLD MINE

Mining Methods
Presented by: FJ Castelyn
Date: 15 September 2005
 Content

•Introduction
•Tabular Deposits <350 dip:
•Longwalling
•Scattered
•Caving
•Wide reef
•Backfilling
 Content

•Massive Mining >350 dip:

•Sub-level (open) stoping (blast hole
stoping)
•Shrinkage stoping
•Cut and fill
•Sub-level caving
•Block caving
•Conclusion
 Introduction
Considerations in the Choice of Mining Method

• Geometry of orebody
• Geological complexities
• Geotechnical properties of
the country rock and orebody
• Depth below surface of
extraction
 Introduction
Considerations in the Choice of Mining Method

•Economic viability including:

• infrastructure
• value distribution
• Environmental aspects
• Engineering constraints
• Relevant legislation
 Tabular deposits <350 dip
Longwalling

Considerations:
• depth > 2000m
• high grade – total
extraction possible although
not desirable
• geological complexity
 Tabular deposits <350 dip
Longwalling

Advantages:
• Follow behind development
• Can be trackless
• Concentrated stoping
 Tabular deposits <350 dip
Longwalling

Disadvantages:
• Inflexibility
• Variable geology
• Highly stressed abutments
 Tabular deposits <350 dip
Scattered Mining

Considerations:
• Narrow reef 2-5m
• Depth intermediate
 Tabular deposits <350 dip
Scattered Mining

Advantages:
• Advanced knowledge of
geological complexities –
pre-development
• Flexibility in choice of
stopes - value
 Tabular deposits <350 dip
Scattered Mining

Disadvantages:
• Less concentrated stoping
• Change in stress of tunnels
as over –stoping takes place
• Highly stressed abutments
 Tabular deposits <350 dip
Caving

Considerations:
• Application – weaker
hangingwall than footwall
• Controlled bulking
 Tabular deposits <350 dip
Caving

Advantages:
• Cost effective
• Face stresses lower
 Tabular deposits <350 dip
Caving

Disadvantages:
• Back area support
compromised typically
gullies
• Controlled cave difficult to
obtain
 Tabular deposits Flat - <350 dip
Wide Reef – Bord and Pillar, Drift and fill

Considerations:
• Span between pillars
• Fill material availability
• Subsidence
• Geological weaknesses
particularly jointing,
potholes, triplets, smectites,
etc
• Depth relatively shallow
 Tabular deposits Flat - <350 dip
Wide Reef – Bord and Pillar, Drift and fill

Advantages:
• Mechanization
• Total extraction can be
achieved
Disadvantages:
• Economies of scale – lower
value ore
• Ore oxidation,
groundwater control
 Tabular deposits Flat - <350 dip
Wide Reef – Step Room and Pillar
Massive mining methods >350 dip
Sub-level (Open) Stoping

Considerations:
• Steep dip
• Favourable geotechnical
characteristics
• Regular orebody geometry
Massive mining methods >350 dip
Sub-level (Open) Stoping

Advantages:
• Mechanization – drilling
carried out in advance of
stoping
• Extraction on retreat
Disadvantages:
• Extensive development
prior to extraction
Massive mining methods >350 dip
Shrinkage Stoping

Considerations:
• Steep dip
• Favourable geotechnical
characteristics
Massive mining methods >350 dip
Shrinkage Stoping

Advantages:
• Mechanization – drilling
carried out in advance of
stoping
• Only bulk of ore removed
after every blast – provide
stability for hangingwalls
and footwalls
Massive mining methods >350 dip
Shrinkage Stoping

Disadvantages:
• Ore prone to oxidation and
hydrolysis
 Massive mining methods >350 dip
Cut-and Fill Mining

Considerations:
• Steep dip, thin
• Favourable geotechnical
characteristics
• Fill material
characteristics
 Massive mining methods >350 dip
Cut-and Fill Mining

Advantages:
• Can be used in ore
bodies with irregular
contours
• Offers more mining
selectivity
• Total extraction
• Working platform
 Massive mining methods >350 dip
Cut-and Fill Mining

Disadvantages:
• Orebody is above mining
– potential for fall-out if
orebody not competent
 Massive mining methods >350 dip
Sub-level caving

Considerations:
• Easy separation of waste from
ore (magnetic)
• Orebody boundaries are vague
 Massive mining methods >350 dip
Sub-level caving

Advantages:
• Pre-drilling
• Economies of scale
• Total extraction
• Little support required
Disadvantages:
• Extensive pre-development
 Massive mining methods >350 dip
Block caving

Considerations:
• Steep dip or large vertical
extension
• Orebody weak –
susceptible to breakage
• Subsidence acceptable
 Massive mining methods >350 dip
Block caving

Advantages:
• Economies of scale – cost
effective
• Total extraction
 Massive mining methods >350 dip
Block caving

Disadvantages:
• Extensive pre-
development
• Time lag – slow build-up
to production
• Hang-ups at drawpoints
– costly secondary
blasting
Conclusion
 For Value
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