Backfill Practices for Sublevel Stoping System

Muhammad Zaka Emad1, Isaac Vennes1, Hani Mitri1, and Cecile Kelly2
1
McGill University, Montreal, Canada
2
Vale Manitoba Operations, Thompson, Canada

Abstract. Sublevel stoping mining methods are very popular in Canadian metal
mines since they enable maximum ore recovery due to pillar-less mining. Sublevel
stoping mining methods are generally employed to extract steeply dipping tabular
ore deposits characterized by relatively long strikes and having various
thicknesses. Ore is recovered from each sublevel in a planned sequence of primary
and secondary stopes with delayed backfill in a manner to create a stress shadow
to avoid high stress buildup in ore pillars. Backfill material is engineered to
withstand the exposed height of the primary stope it occupies when adjacent
secondary stope is being mined, thus avoiding dilution of precious ore which may
result from backfill failure into the secondary stope. Thus, backfilling is one of the
most critical tasks for sublevel stoping mining systems with delayed backfill. The
selection of the type of backfill is a substantial component of backfill design at
preliminary stage of mining production. This paper presents a review of backfill
practices with emphasis on backfill operations in North America. Operations
employing cemented rockfill and paste fill are presented. Backfill design recipes,
properties and placement methods are discussed. The merits, demerits and major
difficulties associated with two backfill operations are discussed in this paper.
Backfill operation at a case study mine is presented and preliminary
recommendations are made based on a review of best practices.

Keywords: underground mining, sublevel stoping, mine backfill, cemented

rockfill.

1 Introduction
Many Canadian metal mines have adopted sublevel stoping method or one of its
variations, such as blasthole stoping, vertical crater retreat (VCR), or vertical
block mining (VBM) for the extraction of steeply dipping ore bodies [1]. In these
methods, the ore body is divided into blocks or stopes, which are mined out while
following a pyramidal mining sequence in transverse-retreat directions. In VBM,
stope production is carried out in three or four blasts or lifts. Each lift is blasted
and mucked before blasting the next one. Backfill is required to fill up the stopes
once they are mined out. Backfill can be defined as, the filling of an excavation
with waste material. It is being used as a filling material for stopes in cut and fill
and open stoping mining methods. Backfilling is a widespread practice in
Canadian metal mines. It has proven to be a good passive support in hard rock

C. Drebenstedt and R. Singhal (eds.), Mine Planning and Equipment Selection, 391
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-02678-7_38, © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014
392 M.Z. Emad et al.

metal mines. It decreases ore dilution from hanging-wall and footwall slough, and
it maximizes ore recovery [2-6]. Backfill dilution is a prime concern while mining
adjoining stopes for pillar-less mining. The stability of exposed backfill face is
governed by many factors, some of them are stope dimensions, stiffness of
backfill, cohesion and blast induced vibrations from adjacent stope being mined
[4, 7]. Backfill can be classified into the following three main types;

1.1 Hydraulic Fill

Hydraulic backfill also known as slurry backfill is composed of a classified,
permeable, low density blend of mill tailings, sand, rock and water having and
average pulp density of around 60% to 70% solids by weight [7, 8]. Fill material is
transported through a network of pipelines at high velocity while maintaining
turbulence to achieve good suspension of solid particles. Extensive transport water
is required for conveying fill through the mine backfill transportation system.
Consequently, there is considerable water seepage from stopes after placement,
which must be pumped back to surface [8-10]. The fine particles are not
accommodated in this system and are rejected to surface in a tailings pond.
Hydraulic backfill may or may not incorporate a binder, depending on the purpose
of the backfill. The mines practicing hydraulic fill also require a strong barricade
to contain fill mass. Additional drainage is required to drain out seeped water from
fill [9, 10]. This method requires huge binder quantities as most of the binder
seeps out of the stope with water. Cured hydraulic backfill is generally very weak
as compared to other backfill types. That is why it is practiced for overhand cut
and fill operations and is not exercised for mines practicing open stoping methods
with greater exposures [9-11].

1.2 Paste Fill

Paste backfill is composed of thickened mill tailings generated during mineral
processing which are mixed with additives such as Portland cement, lime,
pulverized fly ash, and smelter slag. Paste fill utilized full range of tailings and
tailings to be disposed are lesser in quantity compared to hydraulic fill systems [9-
11]. It includes sand/mine tailings, water and cement is added to enhance strength
properties of fill. Its bulk density is 75 – 80% solids by weight. Paste fill is
relatively consistent backfill having high pulp density with about 15% minus 45
microns (325 mesh) fines content [9]. The consistency of paste fill is similar to
that of tooth paste. Paste fill is the most popular backfilling method for massive
ore bodies employing sublevel mining systems and it has higher initial costs and
moderate operational costs. It is generally used for large operations having high
mining rates and long mine life. A smaller operation does not justify the costs
involved with installation, maintenance of a paste fill plant, and paste fill
distribution system. A detailed review of paste fill operation is presented in
Section 2.