How to Assess Rock Mass Stability at Deep Mine Levels?
Geomechanical rating classifications are key tools for designing underground mining operations. A new study presents a detailed assessment of rock mass conditions at deep levels of the Udachny mine using RMR and Q systems.
🔹 Key Findings from the Study:
• RMR: Range of 32–62 at Q = 1, median values:
o kimberlites of the Zapadny Ore Body (ZOB) — Class III stability;
o kimberlites of the Vostochny Ore Body (VOB) — Class IV;
o host rocks — Class II (average RMR = 54).
• Q-Index: Logarithmic range of 0.18–105.6, median values:
o VOB — Class D (poor condition);
o ZOB — Class C (fair condition);
o Host rocks — Class B (Q ~ 4–10).
• Rock Strength (UCS):
o kimberlites: 2.15–119.48 MPa (variability due to heterogeneous composition)
o host sediments: 28.14–71.73 MPa (average: 41.05 MPa)
• Jointing:
o host rocks — Class I (monolithic, >2 m spacing);
o ZOB — Class III (0.5–1 m spacing);
o VOB — Class IV (0.1–0.5 m spacing).
🔹 Practical Recommendations:
• for permanent workings: rockbolting (2 m length, 1–4 m spacing) with 5–6 cm shotcrete;
• for excavation junctions: reinforced support (2.5 m rockbolts, 9–12 cm shotcrete);
• moderate correlation between RMR and Q due to differing parameter sensitivities (e.g., RMR ignores rockbursts, Q omits strength).
The study highlights the need for integrated approaches: ratings require continuous updates as mining progresses.
📌 Read the full paper:
Serebryakov E.V., Zaytsev I.A., Potaka A.A. Assessment of rating parameters of the rock mass conditions at Udachny underground mine deep levels. Mining Science and Technology (Russia). 2024;9(3):206-220. https://doi.org/10.17073/2500-0632-2023-12-192
🔔 Follow our Telegram channel: t.iss.one/MinSciTech
#InEnglish #MST #RatingClassification #RMR #Q #UdachnayaKimberlitePipe #Televiewer #Jointing #RockMassStability #Support #Geomechanics #RockProperties #Drilling #CoreLogging #Rockbolts #Shotcrete #Depth #Mapping #Stress #Modeling
Geomechanical rating classifications are key tools for designing underground mining operations. A new study presents a detailed assessment of rock mass conditions at deep levels of the Udachny mine using RMR and Q systems.
🔹 Key Findings from the Study:
• RMR: Range of 32–62 at Q = 1, median values:
o kimberlites of the Zapadny Ore Body (ZOB) — Class III stability;
o kimberlites of the Vostochny Ore Body (VOB) — Class IV;
o host rocks — Class II (average RMR = 54).
• Q-Index: Logarithmic range of 0.18–105.6, median values:
o VOB — Class D (poor condition);
o ZOB — Class C (fair condition);
o Host rocks — Class B (Q ~ 4–10).
• Rock Strength (UCS):
o kimberlites: 2.15–119.48 MPa (variability due to heterogeneous composition)
o host sediments: 28.14–71.73 MPa (average: 41.05 MPa)
• Jointing:
o host rocks — Class I (monolithic, >2 m spacing);
o ZOB — Class III (0.5–1 m spacing);
o VOB — Class IV (0.1–0.5 m spacing).
🔹 Practical Recommendations:
• for permanent workings: rockbolting (2 m length, 1–4 m spacing) with 5–6 cm shotcrete;
• for excavation junctions: reinforced support (2.5 m rockbolts, 9–12 cm shotcrete);
• moderate correlation between RMR and Q due to differing parameter sensitivities (e.g., RMR ignores rockbursts, Q omits strength).
The study highlights the need for integrated approaches: ratings require continuous updates as mining progresses.
📌 Read the full paper:
Serebryakov E.V., Zaytsev I.A., Potaka A.A. Assessment of rating parameters of the rock mass conditions at Udachny underground mine deep levels. Mining Science and Technology (Russia). 2024;9(3):206-220. https://doi.org/10.17073/2500-0632-2023-12-192
🔔 Follow our Telegram channel: t.iss.one/MinSciTech
#InEnglish #MST #RatingClassification #RMR #Q #UdachnayaKimberlitePipe #Televiewer #Jointing #RockMassStability #Support #Geomechanics #RockProperties #Drilling #CoreLogging #Rockbolts #Shotcrete #Depth #Mapping #Stress #Modeling
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