Handout7_Non-coal Application of Room and Pillar Mining.pdf

Non-coal Application of Room and Pillar Mining (Stope and Pillar Mining) See pages: 45-53, 159-214 of the textbook (Techniques in Underground Mining) Applications - Large, flat or nearly flat deposits (less than 30 degree dip) ? has been used for small bodies too ? in very thick deposits, pillar degradation is possible, requiring larger pillars or pillar reinforcement ? problems with very thin seams too. - competent roof and floor ? however, this could be applied to various kinds of orebodies (host rock strength between 344.7 – 27.5 Mpa and at depths from 15-915 m). Essentially, that range covers any rock that will withstand development w/o massive supports - examples of room-and-pillar mines are in lead (Buick mine, Missouri), zinc, salt, trona (Wyoming), sandstone mining, limestone Three variants - horizontal stoping of a flat deposit - stoping of an inclined deposit (between 20-30 degrees) - horizontal stoping or step mining of an inclined deposit. Development - minimum development in flat deposits - roadways for access and transport of ore - development and mining can be combined Production ? thick deposits - mined in slices. - production starts at the top and roof is bolted. Sometimes, however, some ore may be left at the top due to ? the ore may not have been known to be there. In such a case, “overhand stoping” (see below) can be used to mine the upper slice. ? the ore may be uneconomical at the present time - after a suitable advance, the bottom is excavated by benching. This method is called “underhand stoping”. ? The vertical face on the top layer is called “breast” ? Since benches are developed in a downward direction, this method is also called “underhand stoping”. ? Another variant is “overhand stoping,” where horizontal slices are taken in an upward direction. Sometimes, such as in irregular deposits, it becomes necessary to leave some ore on the floor to reach the full height of the stope. ? In underh